Written answers

Thursday, 14 July 2011

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Public Expenditure

8:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has identified the areas most prone to public expenditure overruns by reference to the figure for each of the past five years; the extent to which he is likely to be able to combat such excesses with the least negative impact on job retention and creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20369/11]

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the significant changes which he expects in the outturn of public expenditure for 2011, net and gross; and the reasons behind these changes. [20305/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he has identified potential overruns in public expenditure in the current year to date; his plans to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20640/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, based on the experience over the past five years, the most likely areas to incur expenditure in excess of budget; his plans to deal with any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20641/11]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 46, 131 and 132 together.

Revised Estimates for all Votes for 2011, updated for the restructuring of Departmental responsibilities, the Jobs Initiative and certain other minor technical adjustments, have been presented to the Dáil, and it is expected that the approval process for all of the Votes will be completed prior to the Dáil summer recess. In aggregate terms, the new Revised Estimates provide for gross voted expenditure of €57.5 billion in 2011, and €46.2 billion in net terms. This compares to €57.5 billion and €46.1 billion detailed in the indicative Revised Estimates Volume published in February.

These Estimates clearly set out the 2011 allocations within which all Departments must manage. A number of expenditure areas are experiencing particular challenges. These include Health, Social Welfare and Justice. Such pressures are not new from year to year. The key issue being that the pressures have to be managed effectively within the level of resources available for the relevant Vote, and I have instructed my officials to engage with the relevant Departments in identifying options to address them. It remains a matter for each Minister and their Departments to ensure that the Vote-level allocations are adhered to. I have no reason, at this stage, to believe that the overall Estimates will not come in more or less on target.

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