Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied regarding the extent to which core-front-line services continue to be maintained in the wake of ongoing budgetary constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48471/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The publication of the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2015 2017 (CER) on Budget Day followed a process of evaluation and analysis of expenditure priorities over the coming years, and how best to accommodate the increasing demands on some public services in an affordable manner.

For 2015 in the CER, the Government approved expenditure increases amounting to €429 million in current expenditure and a further €210 million in capital expenditure over the 2014 Estimates.  There were also some savings from the continuing reductions in the live register.  This is the first time in many years that expenditure has been able to grow without posing risks to the State's overall fiscal policy objectives. This in itself is a considerable achievement.

The increases provided in the CER have been directed towards core front-line services.

- We have provided an additional €305m to the Health sector which will allow it to continue to deliver essential public services in 2015;

- An increase of €60m to the Department of Education & Skills will provide an additional 1,700 full-time places in the education sector to meet demographic pressures. This is comprised of 920 mainstream teachers, 480 resource teachers and 365 Special Needs Assistants; and Extra resources  were provided to the Department of Social Protection to accommodate an additional 18,000 State pensioners next year.

Furthermore, our expenditure on the housing programme is increasing, reflecting the Government's priorities in respect of Social Housing, while we have also provided additional investment in the agriculture sector to co-fund the new round of the Rural Development Programme (RDP).

Our efforts in implementing prudent fiscal, economic and social policies are complemented by the ongoing public service reforms which will ensure that public services are delivered in a more efficient and effective manner and that key front-line services are prioritised.