Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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224. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated amount that will be paid in interest and in repayment of the principal on the national debt in each of the years 2017 to 2021. [34533/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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225. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated amount that will be paid in interest and in repayment of the principal on the general government debt in each of the years 2017 to 2021. [34534/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.

General Government Debt (GGD) is a measure of the total gross consolidated debt of the State compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and is the measure used for comparative purposes across the European Union.

National Debt is effectively a domestic measure as it is the net debt incurred by the Exchequer after taking account of cash balances and other financial assets.

Gross National Debt is the principal component of GGD. GGD also includes the debt of central and local government bodies. GGD is reported on a gross basis and does not net off outstanding cash balances and other related assets.

The most recent estimates of interest on General Government Debt and interest on National Debt for the years 2017-2021 were published in the Stability Programme Update 2017 (Table A3, page 51) and are reproduced for the Deputy’s convenience. It is important to note that there are differences between the two measures of interest. For example, National Debt interest is reported on a cash basis whereas interest on GGD is an accrual based measure.

The "repayment of the principal" figures have been provided by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). They reflect Government bonds and EU/IMF Programme loans only.

Sources: Department of Finance, NTMA

* Reflects Government Bond and EU/IMF Programme loan maturities as at end-June 2017. Figures include the effect of currency hedging transactions which are reflected in the National Debt.

** Excludes €3.9 billion of EFSM maturities in 2018 and €3 billion of EFSM maturities in 2021 as these loans are due to be extended following the maturity extensions granted in mid-2013.