Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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125. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the value-for-money reports published by his Department in the years 2023 to date. [28018/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Policy analysis is a core component of the public expenditure management and value for money frameworks. My Department plays a central role in this process, undertaking regular analysis of expenditure trends and policies. Alongside this, individual line Departments also maintain responsibility for conducting detailed policy analysis within their own sectors, contributing sector-specific insights and evidence to the wider policy making process. My Department’s published policy analysis papers, covering key policy areas such as housing, infrastructure, health, and social welfare, are all available on the Department’s website.

In addition to these papers, the Public Service Performance Report published annually by my Department, is a key tool for promoting transparency and accountability of public spending. The 2023 edition, published in July 2024, details how each Department performed against the targets set in the corresponding Revised Estimates Volume. It highlights delivery outcomes and impact of expenditure on various population cohorts across key policy areas such as housing, health, education, and social welfare, with the aim of supporting greater transparency and accountability in the budgetary process.

Securing value for money is an ongoing priority for this Government and is at the heart of all decision making, at every stage of a policy or programme lifecycle. Delivering value for money is about securing the efficient and effective use of public resources in the pursuit of better public services, living standards and infrastructure for the people of Ireland. It is not solely concerned with costs and pricing; it also involves the consideration of quality, specialist expertise, and social and environmental impacts.

Value for Money requirements are underpinned by legislation and supported by a set of rules, guidelines and frameworks. These structures directly inform how all public bodies operate on a daily basis. A key role of my Department is the development, implementation, and continuous maintenance of these frameworks, which are essential in promoting and embedding value-for-money principles across the public service.

Achieving value for money is the responsibility of everyone involved in overseeing the use of public funds. Its delivery is dependent on the clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various structures across the system. In the coming weeks, I will bring a memo to Government with a statement on the delivery of value for money. This statement will clarify the guidance and procedures available to support the efficient and effective use of public resources. Furthermore, this document will reemphasise the roles and responsibilities of the various decision makers across the system in the delivery of value for money.