655. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the way in which he plans to monitor and change spending in non-voted expenditure. [59991/26]

Non-voted Exchequer expenditure paid out of the Central Fund is covered by specific legislation. As such, these expenditure items have been subject to full analysis and debate in the Oireachtas when the relevant draft legislation was brought through the Houses. This category of expenditure consists mainly of items such as National Debt servicing payments and contributions to the European Union (EU) Budget. These payments have a direct call on the Central Fund, as they relate to the state’s legal obligations, and must be paid out when they fall due.

Non-voted expenditure, as with all Exchequer receipts and expenditure, is monitored and reported upon regularly by my Department, as part of the Fiscal Monitor publication produced each month. The Fiscal Monitor provides details and analysis of both voted and non-voted exchequer expenditure, on both a monthly and cumulative basis, and is available online at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-finance/collections/fiscal-monitors-2026/ .