Written answers

Thursday, 29 May 2025

Department of Finance

Departmental Budgets

Photo of Paul GogartyPaul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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295. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to increase budgetary projects and forecasts to a five-year period, as recommended by the Fiscal Advisory Council, especially in light of recent warnings about our future income streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27879/25]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government published its Annual Progress Report (APR) - formerly the Stability Programme Update - earlier this month. This set out the Department of Finance's updated macroeconomic and fiscal projections for this year and next, in line with (European) legal requirements.

In its endorsement process with the Fiscal Council, my Department initially produced a 5-year forecast, covering 2025-2030; this is available on the Department's website.

However, exceptionally high levels of uncertainty - following the introduction of tariffs by the US administration in April - prompted a decision to truncate the forecast horizon; forecasts were published for this year and next only.

I would highlight that the aset of fiscal rules requires Member States to provide forecasts for the current year only.

That said, I recognise that there is significant value in producing medium-term forecasts to help inform policy and it is my intention to do so once the cloud of uncertainty lifts.

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