Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

17. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on his Department’s consultations and meetings with the Department of Health in the preparation of budget 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38189/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is engaged in intensive discussions with the Department of Health and HSE officials regarding Budget 2015 and the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure as part of the 2015 Budget and Estimates process. 

As part of the ongoing Comprehensive Review of Expenditure due to be published on Budget day, all Government Departments have been asked to review their spending and to identify measures that will support achieving our fiscal objective.  The CRE is framed in the context of the 2015 expenditure ceilings that were published in Expenditure Report 2014.  Within this context, the recent welcome developments on the fiscal front will allow the Government some space to make decisions to address certain pressures and priorities. 

Final decisions in relation to the Budget will reflect updated information on key economic indicators and receipts from taxation. 

Government policy on Budget 2015 will be announced on Budget Day 14th of October 2014.