Minister Chambers updates Cabinet on expenditure position for first half of 2025 and National Development Plan review

The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers updated Cabinet today on the end of June expenditure position and the work on the review of the National Development Plan.

Overall gross voted expenditure to end-June 2025 amounted to €50.9 billion. This is broadly in line with the amount profiled by departments at this stage of the year from their 2025 allocations. While spending is somewhat higher than set out for this stage of the year with an overspend of €0.3 billion compared to profiles, this is only 0.7%.

Compared to the first half of 2024, end- June spending is €3.8 billion (8.2%) ahead on the same period in 2024. This increased investment reflects delivery of Budget priorities, such as increased Social Protection weekly rates, additional teaching posts, health sector investment and infrastructure spending.

Year-on-year capital spending is growing at a higher level than current spending, with capital spending up 22.5% overall. This underscores government commitment to investing in the infrastructure our community needs and which is critical to enhancing our economic competitiveness.

The Programme for Government sets out the clear ambition to prioritise the delivery of transformative, critical and growth-enhancing infrastructure over the next 5 years. To support these goals, Government has prioritised an early review of the National Development Plan (NDP) to support investment in areas such as water, electricity and housing, which is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. Work is ongoing to conclude this review with a view to publication later this month.

Speaking on the Memo Minister Chambers said:

“Today I provided an update to Government on expenditure levels for the first half of this year. End June spending of €50.9 billion demonstrates the deliberate and planned approach to public spending taken by Government, that is focused on delivering our economic, social and climate ambitions – protecting our economy and enhancing the living standards for our people.

"I also updated Government on the review of our National Development Plan. The NDP review provides an opportunity to improve our infrastructure, particularly water, energy, transport and housing. Improvements to this critical priority infrastructure is necessary to enable the delivery of hundreds of thousands of additional homes and to boost our competitiveness. My department is working to finalise of the review of the National Development Plan ahead of planned publication later this month. This will update sectoral capital allocations to 2030 and overall capital expenditure ceilings to 2035.”