Departmental Correspondence

Thursday, 14 May 2026

Ceisteanna (290)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

290. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide a copy of the recent correspondence issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to his Department referred to in media reports (details supplied); if he will provide details of the percentage reduction(s) in spending in his Department referenced in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36404/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

On 23 April, my Department was informed by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER) that a levy of €8 million will apply to current expenditure in my Department's Vote group in 2027. This equates to just under 1.3% of the overall current budget of €629 million as published in the 2026 Revised Estimate Volume.

The correspondence further confirmed that it is a matter for my Department to determine how the levy will be applied across its Vote and that each Department must identify efficiencies and reforms to meet this requirement.

Officials in my Department have begun engaging with all Budget Officers to identify efficiency and reform opportunities to inform how the levy may be applied. All areas of current expenditure will be reviewed before a final decision is made.

My Department will continue to work on identifying efficiency and reform proposals over the coming weeks and will submit these to DPER by the 17 July deadline.