19. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the timeframe for the establishment of the new Public Spending Efficiency Taskforce. [74526/26]

53. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to his announcement in Budget 2027 of a Public Spending Efficiency Taskforce, when its terms of reference will be published; the way in which will its membership and work programme will be determined; and the way in which recommendations, expected savings and impact on public services will be reported to Dáil Éireann. [74072/26]

71. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if further information will be provided on the establishment of the new public spending efficiency taskforce which was announced on Budget day. [74929/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 53 and 71 together.

Public expenditure must be managed to maximise value for money for the taxpayer and support the delivery of Government priorities within the voted allocations.

Achieving value for money in public expenditure is a key Government priority. Over the past two years, a number of initiatives have been introduced to strengthen the focus on value for money and drive efficiencies across the public service.

This work is underpinned by the Government’s objective of ensuring that investment in public services and infrastructure improves living standards for the people of Ireland, both now and in the future.

To support this objective, my Department has developed robust guidance and comprehensive frameworks. These are intended to ensure that every public body and official treats public funds with due care and places financial responsibility at the heart of the discharge of their public duties.

Value for money is achieved through the efficient and effective use of public funds and resources to deliver better public services and improved outcomes.

Budget 2026 placed greater emphasis on reform, efficiency and the outputs and outcomes supported by public spending. This ensures a clearer link between investment and service levels being delivered for the population.

In September 2026, I wrote to all Ministers, asking them to identify efficiencies and reforms in the context of the Estimates process for Budget 2027. Reforms and efficiencies were published and are set out in the Budget 2027 documents.

Building on this work, it is my intention to establish a new Public Spending Efficiency Taskforce whose mandate will be to scrutinise day to day public spending. The Taskforce will identify key areas across the public service where there is scope to achieve greater efficiency and will recommend specific actions to improve service delivery and secure better value for money.

The work of the Taskforce will complement, rather than replace, the wide range of policy and expenditure analysis undertaken and published annually by Government Departments. Departments will remain responsible for conducting detailed policy analysis and expenditure evaluations within their respective sectors. They will also continue to contribute sector-specific evidence and insights to the policymaking process.

I have asked my officials to establish this Taskforce, with terms of reference to be finalised and work to commence within three months, with further details to be announced in due course. The work of this taskforce will inform the approach to Budget 2028 and subsequent Budgets over the lifetime of the Government, supporting greater economy, efficiency and effectiveness across day-to-day public spending.