Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The summer economic statement demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to provide for high-quality public services and better societal outcomes in a manner that is consistent with the safe management of our public finances. It is another key milestone in our budgetary timetable, setting out our strategy for the year ahead and providing an outline of the resources that are available for budget 2025.

Total voted expenditure is set to grow by €6.9 billion, or 6.9%, to a gross voted expenditure ceiling of €105.4 billion. This increase is made up of a €5.5 billion, or 6.4%, uplift in total voted current expenditure and a €1.4 billion, or 10.6%, uplift in total voted capital expenditure. A key element of the overall expenditure amount for 2025 is agreement in relation to the level of health funding for 2025.

A key element of the overall expenditure amount for 2025 is agreement in relation to the level of health funding for next year. Taking into account demands for better quality healthcare, the complexity of providing health services, the legacy impact of a post pandemic and heightened inflationary environment, significant additional funding is being provided to the Department of Health. An additional €1.5 billion is being provided for health services this year, with a further €1.2 billion allocated for 2025 for existing level of service, ELS, costs. This additional funding has been agreed with the Minister for Health and the HSE and all parties have agreed it provides an opportunity to strengthen financial planning and governance within the HSE, recognising the importance of demonstrating the link between funding and the delivery of improved outcomes.

The €1.2 billion for health in 2025 forms part of an overall total settlement of €3.7 billion that will be made available to cover the costs associated with day-to-day spending. I have already referred to where we are with capital investment. In terms of new measures, the figure is €1.8 billion on budget day.

With regard to the Deputy's final question, I understand that the budget package that we have confirmed for 2025 still gives a general Government balance for next year of approximately €6 billion. That can be confirmed to the Deputy tomorrow evening at the Committee on Budgetary Oversight. I understand the Department of Finance will provide the general Government balance for the years after that when it has revised its tax forecasts, which it will do as part of the preparation for budget 2025.

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