Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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313. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains confident that public expenditure and reform expectations remain in line with previously identified targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18656/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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314. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he may be in a position to facilitate the funding of strategic infrastructural requirements, in line with economic growth expectations in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18657/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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315. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which Government policy in respect of public expenditure and reform remains in line with original expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18658/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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321. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he and his Department have identified various Departments, currently experiencing difficulty, remaining within expenditure guidelines; if he proposes any particular action in such areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18664/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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324. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which ongoing analysis takes place, throughout each Department and-or its subsidiary bodies, to identify where any adjustments may be possible to encourage economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18667/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 to 315, inclusive, and 321 and 324 together.

When Ireland was subject to an EU-IMF programme, this Government faced the challenge of restoring stability to our public finances and creating the environment to support sustainable economic growth and job creation.  The recent publication of the Spring Economic Statement and the Stability Programme Update has allowed us to take stock of the progress made in returning the public finances to a more sustainable position.  Having successfully exited the Troika programme in December 2013 we remain fully on course to meet our fiscal target of a General Government Deficit of below 3% of GDP in 2015 as required under the Excessive Deficit Procedure.

The positive results from our approach to expenditure adjustments are now clear.  While implementing expenditure reductions, the Government's approach was to maintain the effectiveness of our social safety net and also to focus investment on key areas of social and economic need. Our approach towards expenditure management enabled Ireland to regain its fiscal credibility, restore its international reputation, and reach a position as Europe's fastest growing economy.

In relation to the funding of strategic infrastructure requirements, my Department has been undertaking a review of the public capital programme.  The purpose of the review was to assess all areas of public capital investment and to refresh the existing investment strategy and multi-annual envelopes.  This is to help ensure that they are in line with emerging Government priorities and that our resources are focussed on the areas that can best underpin continued economic growth. The report of the capital review is currently being finalised and will set out the capital envelope to 2020.  I intend to publish the report in June. 

As the Deputy will be aware, managing the delivery of public services within agreed budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and Department to ensure that Vote-level allocations are adhered to while at the same time ensuring that they continue to provide essential services and respond appropriately to increasing demands.  My Department continually monitors voted expenditure throughout the year to compare drawdown of funds from the Exchequer against published expenditure profiles. There is regular communication with all Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within agreed allocations. I report a monthly analysis of spending trends to Government, and we publish information each month as part of the Exchequer Statement.  The position at the end of April was a gross total expenditure underspend of €115 million (-0.7%) against profile.   Expenditure will continued to be monitored closely  for the remainder of the year so as to ensure that  our fiscal targets are met.

Finally, Departments regularly review and analyse matters and areas for which they have responsiblity.  In this regard, the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) is an integrated cross-Government service which enhances the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making.  IGESS staff operate in designated economic evaluation units and are engaged with almost all Government Departments.