DUBLIN, April 21 (Reuters) - Irish government departments will have to save 446 million euros ($525 million) through reforms and efficiencies next year to make up for overspending this year and allow planned 2027 spending increases to proceed, the public expenditure minister said on Tuesday.
The government agreed on Tuesday to increase 2026 spending by 700 million euros to 118.5 billion euros to account for recent measures to soften the impact of surging fuel prices and provide additional funding for education.
But to balance that, other departments will for the first time be obliged to offset a portion of a prior year's overspend in the subsequent year, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said.
Spending on infrastructure, social protection and social housing supports will be safeguarded and the impact of frontline staff services in health, justice and disability will be minimised, Chambers said.
Overall spending is due to rise by 5.9% to 125.5 billion euros next year.
($1 = 0.8502 euros)
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Conor Humphries)
