Tensions are building in Government in relation to overspending in the Department of Education. Year after year, bail-outs are passed by the Dáil for overspending departments in December, funded by excess corporate tax receipts. In recent years unprecedented events, such as Covid-19 or the war in Ukraine, have also necessitated higher spending. But the level of resources being spent on public services has also risen sharply – total spending is up over 40 per cent since 2019. The odds are that come December there will be again be supplementary estimates passed to account for overspending departments.

Source: The Irish Times April 07, 2026 01:48 UTC