Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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86. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated effect of including universities on-balance sheet; the discussions that have taken place on this issue with EUROSTAT or other organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40586/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Statistical classification issues are a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

At the request of Eurostat, the CSO is currently engaged in an assessment of whether the universities be included in, or excluded from, the general government sector. The CSO is engaging with Eurostat regarding the progress and outcome of these deliberations.

Should any university be re-classified within the general government sector (i.e. on balance sheet), then any liabilities to bodies outside the general government sector will clearly add to gross general government debt. Similarly, any revenue or expenditure associated with transactions between the university and bodies outside the general government sector will affect the general government balance.

My Department is awaiting the results of this assessment and will ensure that the fiscal forecasts of the general government sector are appropriately compiled.