Taxpayers must get value for money on services – Timmins

A stronger focus is needed on delivering results and controlling current spending to assure taxpayers maximum value for their contributions to the public purse, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Edward Timmins said: “There’s a need for stronger spending discipline, improved cost control and better outputs across Government departments. At the same time, we need to ensure any increases in expenditure do not reinforce existing inefficiencies.”

The Fine Gael Wicklow TD told the Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Dáil this week that any increase in spending must be matched by measurable improvements in services and outputs.

“I believe the current trajectory is not sustainable in the long term and poses significant risks to the stability of our public finances. We must control current spending and ensure that every euro spent is delivering improved outcomes for the public.”

Deputy Timmins said there’s a distinction which should be drawn between capital and current expenditure, saying that infrastructural improvements provide returns over time.

“Companies borrow to invest in assets that generate growth and long-term value. The State must take a similarly disciplined approach.

“We must distinguish between spending that gives a long-term return and spending that covers day-to-day operations. Current expenditure must be better controlled.

“At the same time, we must concentrate on improving outputs across all departments. Increased funding must translate into better services”.

Deputy Timmins raised concerns around the pace of growth in certain areas of departmental spending, including:

• Instances of double-digit increases, including payroll costs linked to additional staff recruitment.
• Projected spending figures that appear as rounded estimates, such as €10m, rather than detailed, costed projections.

“Are the increases resulting in better outputs and services for the public,” Deputy Timmins asked.

“A zero-based budgeting approach is needed; where new spending is justified, and existing expenditure is examined to ensure it remains necessary and effective.

“I want taxpayers’ money to be accounted for and assurance that services and outputs are being returned to the public. Taxpayers work hard, knowing that a portion of their earnings must go to the exchequer. How those funds are expended and managed has to be underwritten with a cast iron guarantee that every euro spent is done so responsibly to the benefit of everyone,” added Deputy Timmins.