Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department plays a key role in developing and monitoring overall expenditure in line with Government objectives and agreed fiscal policy.

Since 2020 external shocks, including Covid, war in Ukraine, and elevated inflation have required Government to take a responsive approach to fiscal policy. This has resulted in a higher level of Supplementary Estimates in recent years.

In 2023, 31 Supplementary Estimates were required, representing an additional €6 billion in gross expenditure or €5.5 billion net. This level of Supplementary Estimates demonstrates Government's responsive approach with €4 billion of non-core expenditure allocated—including supporting arrivals from Ukraine and Cost-of-Living Supports. The remaining€2 billion relates to core expenditure pressures with additional demandin certain sectors and recognises the additional demand facing our public services particularly in the health and education sectors.

Our Health Service continues to operate in a post-pandemic environment with increased demand and complexity. Changed enrolment patterns in our schools impact on payroll costs and capital investment requirements partially related to Special Needs Education.

My Department continues to engage with all Departments to monitor and develop our budgetary process with a view to ensuring that value-for-money is delivered across Government projects and programmes.

Managing the delivery of public services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and their Department. My Department is in regular communication with all Departments to ensure expenditure is managed within the overall fiscal parameters. There are a number of supporting processes and procedures in place including:

1. Drawdowns from the Exchequer are monitored against published profiles.
2. Key data and information in relation to voted expenditure is published monthly in the Fiscal Monitor.
3. Quarterly reporting to Government by the main spending Departments on their respective sectors also takes place alongside the overall expenditure management updates provided by my Department.
4. Regular engagement, through a number of fora, between spending Departments and my Department at senior official level.

I can assure you that my Department is fully focused on working with all Departments to manage public expenditure and continues to review our processes to ensure allocations are informed by the best available information.