Written answers

Thursday, 9 November 2017

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Public Sector Reform Implementation

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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77. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied of being able to continue to meet the targets set by his Department in the context of spending and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47559/17]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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79. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which each Department continues to maintain good practice in terms of expenditure in keeping with both the effects of the economic recession and the growing demands of the recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47561/17]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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80. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the savings to date achieved through reform or limitation of expenditure in each of the past three years to date in 2017; the extent to which this is in line with targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47562/17]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 79 and 80 together.

Effective management of expenditure has been a key contributor towards putting Ireland’s public finances back on a sustainable footing. On an on ongoing basis, managing the delivery of public services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and their Departments. Important measures are in place to ensure that budgetary targets continue to be met. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is in regular contact with all Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters and there is regular reporting to Government on expenditure levels. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored against published expenditure profiles and this information is published each month in the Exchequer Statement.

As set out in the most recent Exchequer Statement, total gross voted expenditure at end-October 2017 was €46,220 million, which is €375 million below profile, but up €2,001 million (4.5%) in year-on-year terms. Gross voted current expenditure of €43,308 million at end-October is €159 million below profile but up €1,602 million (3.8%) year-on-year. Gross voted capital expenditure of €2,912 million at end-October is €216 million below profile, but up €398 million (15.8%) year-on-year. The Deputy will be aware that 2017 was the third consecutive year in which we were able to increase public spending. As set out in Budget 2018 last month, this will continue in 2018 with a modest, sustainable increase of just over 4% in spending compared to 2017.

Since the first public service reform plan was published in 2011, a comprehensive programme of reform has been implemented and this continues to be a key priority. This is important as the performance of the public service has major implications for the management of the State’s finances, and for economic development and employment creation.

The 2014-16 public service reform plan put the public ever more to the centre of what we do both in terms of service delivery and transparency, openness and accountability. The final progress report on this plan, published in July 2017, was sent to all Deputies and is also available at www.reformplan.per.gov.ie.The report set out a wide range of improved services for the public and savings across a range of projects.

Work continues in implementing reforms initiated under the 2014-16 plan including the ambitious programme of reform initiated under the Civil Service Renewal Plan and other sectoral reform programmes. The CSR Plan aims to create a more unified, professional, responsive, open and accountable civil service that can provide a world-class service to the State and to the people of Ireland.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is currently developing a new phase of public service reform called Our Public Service 2020 which is expected to be published by the end of the year. This will build on the achievements of the last six years and allow the public service to better respond to new challenges.

Our Public Service 2020 aims to deliver better outcomes for the public, to support innovation and collaboration and to build public service organisations that are resilient and agile. The framework is built on three key pillars.

- Delivering for our public

- Innovating for our future

- Developing our people and organisations

It will also ensure a continued emphasis on ensuring value for money principles are adhered to across the public service.

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