869. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 544 and 619 of 30 June 2026, the way in which the forecasted overspends of the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration will be accommodated for within the Government's fiscal rules; if Supplementary Estimates will be used to cover these overspends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55526/26]

870. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department are still committed to ending the process of using Supplementary Estimates to cover Government overspends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55527/26]

872. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide details on vote groups where current spending is above planned spending at this point in the year; to provide figures on the amount these vote groups are overspending by, both as a percentage and as a nominal figure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55555/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 869, 870 and 872 together.

Gross voted spending at end June was €54.4 billion. This is €551 million or 1.0% below profile. The majority of Vote Groups are under profile at an overall level at end June. Three of the eighteen vote groups were ahead of profile at end June – Health; Further and Higher Education; and Social Protection.

End June spending figures reflect the halfway point of the year. It remains too early to say what spending levels might mean for the overall year end position. Departments may be ahead of profile for a variety of reasons. Deviations from profile may arise due to the timing certain payments earlier than expected and these will likely correct themselves over the course of the year. Other overspends against profile may require mitigating actions to be taken to offset the overrun before year end.

In any given year, there can be a range of reasons why Departments might require supplementary funding above the amount included in the original Estimate. Additional allocations may be needed due to Government decisions to provide supports in response to developments during the year – such as the decisions earlier this year on fuel support schemes – or where services or schemes cost more than a Department originally estimated.

To ensure the significant level of investment under the Medium Fiscal and Structural Plan delivers on Programme for Government commitments and delivers value for money, there is a need for a strengthened expenditure control environment, a renewed focus on fiscal discipline, and robust oversight mechanisms.

It is the responsibility of each Accounting Officer to manage expenditure within their allocations approved by the Dáil. It is essential that Departments actively pursue efficiencies and reforms to identify savings within their allocations, and to ensure that the significant resources allocated to them are used to efficiently and effectively deliver high-quality public services and supports.

My Department will continue to monitor and engage with Departments over the second half of the year. The provision of any further supplementary estimates will be a matter for Government decision.

Details around the breakdown of current and capital spending figures by Vote Group are available in the fiscal monitor published each month. A copy of the June Fiscal Monitor is attached to this response for information.

June Fiscal Monitor