Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

201. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the preparations for budget 2017; if the upcoming budget will involve at least a 2:1 split between public spending and tax reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9941/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I presume the Deputy is referring to the preparations for Budget 2018 which will be presented to Dail Eireann next October.

As part of the annual budgetary process, my Department will prepare the 2017 Stability Programme Update in April, updating the economic and fiscal outlook. Subsequently, the next milestone in the budgetary calendar will be the publication of the Summer Economic Statement in advance of the National Economic Dialogue.  In line with the Government's commitment to ongoing budgetary reform, this will set out the framework for discussions on Budget 2018 and, together with the publication of the Tax Strategy Group papers and the Mid-Year Expenditure Report, will provide a valuable input to the budgetary deliberations.

The Oireachtas will have an opportunity for relevant engagement at each stage of the process. 

The Programme for a Partnership Government indicates a baseline allocation of the available fiscal space on (at least) a 2:1 basis between public spending increases and tax reductions.  The final position will be a matter for Government, taking into account the outcome of the various budgetary steps.