Update: Budget for the Department of Social Protection 16th July 2014

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the budget available to her Department remains adequate to meet requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan.

*    For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 15th July, 2014.

The department’s total expenditure allocation for 2014 is €19.6 billion.  There was an under-spend of €23.6 million, or 0.2%, on the Department’s overall expenditure on schemes, services and administration at the end of June 2014.   This performance is very close to target.  Given the demand-led nature of the vast majority of the schemes operated by the Department, it is too early to predict an out-turn for the year.

PRSI income in the year to end-June was €3,811 million or €114 million (3.1%) ahead of profile. While PRSI income performance in the year to date is encouraging and indicative of a strengthening labour market, it is also too early to predict the eventual out-turn given that six months collection is outstanding.