Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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344. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm that the annual priority reserve of €51 million in 2023 will not be used as a resource for overspends in Budget 2023 given that it is stated in page 44 of the National Development Plan that the reserve is not intended as a resource to meet any potential overspends or cost inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37158/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that it is not intended that the annual priority reserve of €51 million for 2023 as set out in National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030 will be used as a resource for any potential overspends in Budget 2023. The annual priority reserves included in the NDP will be allocated each year during the Estimates process. Retaining this element of flexibility is an important principle of efficient public expenditure management. The reserve is designed to maintain the Government’s ability to continue to effectively recalibrate investment plans if priorities develop or change over the course of the Government.