Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects to be in a position in the forthcoming budget to combine prudent fiscal management with the need to accommodate the issues which affect the general population in terms of the economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31122/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Expenditure on public services and capital investment must be financed from a sustainable source. As Exchequer revenue is impacted by the cycle of the economy, basing expenditure commitments on the current historical high level of revenue would only serve to introduce uncertainty to the future provision of public services.

Therefore, it is not an issue of how to combine prudent fiscal management with the need to invest in our public services and infrastructure, rather prudent fiscal management is a prerequisite to ensuring the stability of public investment.

In terms of the allocation of resources in the upcoming budget, the Programme for Partnership Government states that future budgets will involve at least a 2:1 split between public spending and tax reductions. Budget 2019 will be no different in this regard.