Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform how he proposes to maintain a balanced and sustainable approach to expenditure policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27742/25]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the medium-term expenditure framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27743/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 123 together.

We have faced a number of challenges over recent years – Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis. Throughout all of these, we have demonstrated our resilience and ability to adapt to changing global circumstances. We have developed and implemented appropriate economic strategies which have ensured our economy remains strong with continued growth and high levels of employment. In light of recent changes to the global trading environment, it is essential we respond in a considered and planned strategic way, which focuses on enhancing our competitiveness, supporting diversification and innovation of our enterprise sector, and investing in our national infrastructure, whilst ensuring a balanced and sustainable approach to expenditure policy.

As part of the new EU Fiscal Rules, Ireland, like all EU Member States, is required to prepare and publish a Medium Term Fiscal and Structural Plan (Medium Term Plan). My Department and the Department of Finance are now developing this revised Medium Term Plan to be published later this year.

The new Medium Term Plan will reflect the strategic choices that will need to be made over the next five years in relation to tax and expenditure policy, to ensure a balanced and sustainable fiscal outlook. The Medium Term Plan will be informed by the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the NDP Review which are currently being developed by my Department.

Ireland’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework, for the period to 2030, will support the delivery of progress on key social and economic priorities of Government. The formulation of this Framework takes place against a positive economic context with strong growth and full employment. It will also take account of the growing and changing needs of the population and the importance of capital investment through the review of the National Development Plan.

The NDP Review provides an opportunity to signal investment in critical infrastructure to support future growth and guide planning and investment decisions. The NDP is not just about allocating funding but about reforming how we deliver services and infrastructure to our citizens – this is critical to the delivery of effective and efficient public services in Ireland.

This overall approach is strategic and will be critical to framing the fiscal parameters for future Budgets over the medium term in a balanced and sustainable way.