Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
47. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the measures to improve cost control in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70823/25]
View answerMy Department is committed to strong financial oversight and cost control. We achieve this through strategic planning, rigorous monitoring and operational efficiency.
Each year, we prepare detailed estimates of expenditure. This is a robust process that examines current spending, identifies opportunities for savings and reallocates resources to priority areas. Every Department submits its estimates to the Vote sections within my Department, which are then carefully scrutinised to ensure that only essential resources are sought.
All spending is subject to review and approval in line with established policies and circulars. Earlier this year, I committed to carrying out a review of Public Financial Procedures (PFP) with a view to further enhancing accountability in regard to public expenditure management and ensuring value for money in government decision making. This review process, which is now underway, is about understanding what supports and structures can help to deliver accountability and performance improvements in:
• budgetary discipline within the limits voted by Dáil Éireann;
• clarity around accountability and financial responsibility to Government and the Oireachtas;
• how financial accountability rules enable responsible delivery; and
• evidence based expenditure decisions.
The review process and updated PFP and related supports will look to better assist Accounting Officers, Finance Officers and other expenditure officials over programmes carry out their duties. It will also assist parliamentarians to better understand where responsibility and accountability lie on questions of value for money and budgetary management that will support scrutiny by the Oireachtas of spending decisions and compliance with governance requirements. The updated PFP should ensure that all officials who are responsible for public expenditure are clear in terms of their personal and legal accountability for budgetary discipline.
Value for money is an ongoing priority for this Government. In July this year, my Department issued a circular to set out the value for money obligations on all civil and public servants, so that the public sector demonstrates the highest standards of financial judgement and due diligence when developing and implementing policy. I continue to work to improve cost control through every lever available to me.
