DUBLIN, April 21 (Reuters) - Irish government departments will have to save 446 million euros ($525 million) through reforms and efficiencies next year to make up for overspending this year and allow
Ireland Mandates Budgetary Savings to Balance 2024 Overspending
Government Measures to Address Budgetary Overspending
Required Savings and Efficiency Reforms
DUBLIN, April 21 (Reuters) - Irish government departments will have to save 446 million euros ($525 million) through reforms and efficiencies next year to make up for overspending this year and allow planned 2027 spending increases to proceed, the public expenditure minister said on Tuesday.
Increased Spending for 2026 and Key Sectors
Allocation for Fuel Prices and Education
The government agreed on Tuesday to increase 2026 spending by 700 million euros to 118.5 billion euros to account for recent measures to soften the impact of surging fuel prices and provide additional funding for education.
Offsetting Overspending Obligations
But to balance that, other departments will for the first time be obliged to offset a portion of a prior year's overspend in the subsequent year, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said.
Safeguarding Essential Services
Protected Spending Areas
Infrastructure, Social Protection, and Housing
Spending on infrastructure, social protection and social housing supports will be safeguarded and the impact of frontline staff services in health, justice and disability will be minimised, Chambers said.
Overall Budget Growth
Overall spending is due to rise by 5.9% to 125.5 billion euros next year.
($1 = 0.8502 euros)
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Conor Humphries)
