Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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69. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he expects his Department to be in a position to positively influence economic growth while retaining prudent policy measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2594/18]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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71. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he plans to discourage dependency by Revenue in the future on one sector in the economy having particular regard to the lessons learned previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2596/18]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he remains satisfied that each Department continues to effectively operate best practice in the context of public expenditure and reform with a view to ensuring long lasting benefits for the population and the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2597/18]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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80. 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. [2605/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 71, 72 and 80 together.

Supporting growth in our economy is an important priority for the Government, and sound and sustainable public finances are an essential element of achieving that goal. Public expenditure is of particular importance in this regard, in terms of protecting growth through investment in our social and economic priorities by way of efficient and effective spending.

Effective management of the delivery of public services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and their Departments. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is in regular contact during the year with all other Government Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters. Information in relation to gross and net voted expenditure is published monthly in the Department of Finance’s Fiscal Monitor.

In recent years, the Government has managed spending in a sustainable and prudent manner, with growth in public expenditure increasing at a lower rate than growth in the economy overall. The reforms put in place since the economic crisis, such as the implementation of the medium-term expenditure framework, the performance budgeting initiative, the Spending Review process, etc. have all played a part in putting our public finances on the stable footing they are on today. Steady, incremental progress in public expenditure, alongside a continuing focus on value for money, will help to keep us on a sustainable path, thereby ensuring long lasting benefits for the people and the economy. 

Public capital investment is a key component of supporting balanced regional growth in all sectors of our economy and increasing the capacity of our economy in the long-term. The review of the Capital Plan, carried out in 2017, reflects where sectoral gaps exist. The review sought to assess how enhancing investment in public infrastructure can support resilience in the economy, particularly in the context of Brexit, climate change and the potential for overheating as our economy approaches full capacity. This review is based on robust analysis and has provided a useful evidence base to support planning going forward.

Turning to revenue, the Department of Finance last week published its Annual Taxation Report. The Report notes that taxation receipts have recovered from their post-crisis nadir and, at the end of last year, the level of receipts was the highest on record. Against this backdrop, the report examines taxation trends since the beginning of the last decade to deepen the understanding of developments and to monitor and highlight key issues, including the emergence of any imbalances.