Thomas Gould
Question:39. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total Supplementary Estimates in 2025 to date. [69853/25]
View answerThursday, 11 December 2025
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I thank the Deputy for his question. Budget 2025 set out a government expenditure ceiling (GEC) of €105.4 billion to deliver improvements in our infrastructure and enhance our existing public services to build for a stronger future.
In June of this year, the GEC was revised upwards to €106.4 billion, an increase of €0.9 billion. This increase provided extra capital funding for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Education to facilitate the progression of capital projects.
At the time of the Summer Economic Statement in July, the 2025 GEC was further revised upwards to €108.7 billion, an increase of €2.3 billion. This provided an additional €1.3 billion for capital expenditure and an additional €1 billion current expenditure to fund in-year decisions and to further support the delivery of key social and economic priorities. €0.8 billion of this funding was allocated through Further Revised Estimates brought in August, providing additional capital funding for the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. The current expenditure element of the increase was to be determined as part of Budget 2026 discussions, with 2025 allocations provided in Supplementary Estimates.
In November, Government agreed technical and substantive Supplementary Estimates for a number of Votes. Together, these amounted to an additional €2.9 billion in gross terms. These Supplementary Estimates provided additional funding across a range of sectors including:
• The allocation of the additional €1bn in current funding provided for in the Summer Economic Statement across the Departments of Health (€0.15bn), Education (€0.3bn), Children (€0.2bn), Housing (€0.1bn) and Transport (€0.2bn). This funding was agreed to rebase these departments for costs known to be recurring beyond 2025
• €0.6bn to Social Protection, €0.4bn of which was to fund the cost of the Christmas Bonus
• A further €0.15bn to the Department of Health in once-off supplementary funding
• A further €0.3bn to the Department of Education in once-off supplementary funding
• €0.2bn additional funding to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Ukraine supports and other international contributions.
• €0.2bn across the Justice Vote Group.
• €0.1bn across the Further and Higher Education Vote Group
Taking account of these increases, the final GEC for 2025 is €109.9 billion, which is €4.5 billion over the original budget allocation of €105.4 billion for 2025. This amount represents a ceiling on what can be spent, and outturn figures will be available in January.
The ceiling for next year has been set at €117.8bn - this reflects an uplift of 7.2% over the final 2025 ceilings. The level of investment planned for next year will provide for transformative critical infrastructure to support the delivery of housing, strengthen Ireland's competitiveness and economic resilience, sustain our economic growth and enhance our public services to deliver improved outcomes for the people of Ireland. Delivering on these objectives is a key priority for Government and must be done in a manner that reflects the principle of achieving Value for Money. A key feature of this years budget was an emphasis on reforms and efficiencies. Looking forward to 2026 Departments must ensure the appropriate governance and oversight mechanisms are in place so that the ceiling for 2026 can be adhered to whilst also ensuring Government's key priorities are being delivered.