Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
265. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total 2026 budget allocation for the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46734/26]
View answer266. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the estimated cost of increasing the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service budget by 5%, 10 % and 20% respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46735/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together.
The Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) is a cross-Government network of economists and policy analysts operating within the Irish civil service. IGEES members are assigned to 18 Government Departments and six State Agencies.
The IGEES budget is managed by the IGEES Central Unit, which has responsibility for IGEES corporate functions, and is based in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER).
The IGEES budget relates to annual allocations to the IGEES Central Unit in order to fund the corporate functions of the Network. These activities include recruitment, learning and development, research and other corporate support activities for the Network of over 350 IGEES members. Decisions in respect of the IGEES budget form part of the annual estimates process.
The IGEES budget for 2026 is €300,000.
It is relevant to note that the IGEES budget does not include staff remuneration, as this is accounted for under general staffing costs in respective Departments.
The estimated cost of increasing the IGEES budget by various amounts is outlined in the table below.
|
% of 2026 IGEES Budget |
€ Cost |
|
5% |
€15,000 |
|
10% |
€30,000 |
|
20% |
€60,000 |
