Ministers Chambers launches comprehensive review of Public Financial Procedures

The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation informed Government on 21 October 2025 that his Department is carrying out a review of Public Financial Procedures (PFP) with a view to further enhancing accountability for public expenditure management and ensuring value for money in Government decision making.

The principles of Government accounting are mainly derived from the Constitution, and from the institutional and financial relationships between the Oireachtas and the Government.

PFP is a guide which sets out these principles, as well as the important ways they are applied in the day-to-day operations of Government Departments and Offices. It is a practical guide to assist all officials in their day-to-day decision-making on financial management issues. It sets out the relevant statutory, parliamentary and administrative requirements, emphasises the need for economy, efficiency and effectiveness, and promotes good practice and high standards of propriety.

The detailed procedures of PFP are required to be observed by Government Departments to provide public services and develop the capital infrastructure of our country.

Since the 2008 PFP Review, there have been substantive changes in operational practices as well as in Value for Money, Financial Management and Financial Reporting. This is reflected in documents including:

• Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies
• Grant Circular
• Infrastructure Guidelines
• Central Government Accounting Standards

The review process is targeted at providing the tools to support improvements in:

• Budgetary discipline within the limits voted by Dáil Éireann;
• Clarity around accountability and financial responsibility to Government and the Oireachtas;
• How financial accountability rules enable responsible delivery; and
• Evidence based expenditure decisions.

This review of PFP seeks not only to update the PFP text, but also to take account of the current operational practices of officials managing public expenditure as well as the legislation underpinning PFP.

Speaking today the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitialisation, Jack Chambers TD said

“It is vital that all public officials have a comprehensive guide based on expenditure management and accountability legislation to assist them in delivering public services efficiently and effectively. The revised PFP should ensure that all officials who are responsible for public expenditure are clear in terms of their personal and legal accountability for budgetary discipline. Ensuring value for money on state investment is at the heart of all decision making is a top priority for Government and this comprehensive review underscores that commitment.”

Notes for Editors

1. The PFP was last subject to detailed review in 2008, with the review at that time reflecting the Mullarkey Report on Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers.
2. The review process and updated PFP and related supports will look to better assist Accounting Officers, Finance Officers and other expenditure officials over programmes carry out their duties. It will also assist parliamentarians to better understand where responsibility and accountability lie on questions of value for money and budgetary management that will support scrutiny by the Oireachtas of spending decisions and compliance with governance requirements.
3. The review group will produce recommendations for a redesign and modernisation of PFP for implementation across the first half of 2026.

ENDS