Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the national economic dialogue he is planning to hold in June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10602/15]

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

Over the last few years, this Government has delivered wide-ranging reforms to the budgetary architecture that have enhanced how we manage the public finances.  The reforms are informed by the core principle that a more open and transparent process, allowing for clearer accountability and oversight, supports the efficient use of public funds to deliver effective services for citizens.

Previously, I have outlined the key elements of the reforms undertaken, including the introduction of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, with multiannual expenditure ceilings that provide clarity about the resources available to Departments over a three-year period and facilitate a more strategic approach to resource allocation.  This framework supports a whole-of-year approach to the budgetary process as it facilitates consideration by the Oireachtas of the allocation of resources for the current year and also spending plans for the following years.  We want to broaden the debate about where our resources should best be allocated and how to accommodate the many demands and pressures for increased resources.  

Over the last number of years the anchor point of Ireland's fiscal policy has been to bring the general government deficit below 3 per cent of GDP.  By the end of this year, we are set to achieve this target, and to leave the Excessive Deficit Procedure.  Thereafter, Ireland will be subject to the requirements of the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact.  In this fiscal context, the Government is now considering options, including a Spring Economic Statement and National Economic Dialogue, to further develop the whole-of-year budgetary cycle.

A National Economic Dialogue, held mid-year, could facilitate an open, transparent and inclusive societal debate about options for the allocation of public resources over the coming period.  This would inform the work of Government and the Oireachtas in their considerations of the Budget later in the year.