tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2826531655042170344.post5650217072891340038..comments2024-03-26T11:29:52.986+00:00Comments on Economic Incentives: Ireland is not really “low-tax” or “low-spend” but is “young” and “low public pension”Seamushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15679299530222667673noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2826531655042170344.post-4445370260230372922015-01-16T09:51:16.432+00:002015-01-16T09:51:16.432+00:00Thanks. I'd suspect it is due to a combination...Thanks. I'd suspect it is due to a combination of much larger local and regional government structures, as well as larger general statistical/research agencies and more shared services. The latter spend (such as 01.33 above) could represent overall efficiencies by removing such spends from individual departmental areas - e.g. car pools, printing offices, etc.Nat O`Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03158117263254241852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2826531655042170344.post-32077085685414258052015-01-15T17:59:20.407+00:002015-01-15T17:59:20.407+00:00Here is an expansion of the 'General Service&#...Here is an expansion of the 'General Service' category. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0OkdUPI9IiY/VLf621Pp0tI/AAAAAAAAT_Q/SKRIxvfb8fY/s1600-h/General%252520Government%252520Services%252520EU%2525202012%25255B16%25255D.png" rel="nofollow">Table: Public Expenditure on 'General Services' COFOG01</a> <br /><br />For comparison Finland and Sweden are also highlighted. Unsurprisingly Ireland has more expenditure on public debt transactions (mainly interest). The main sub-category where Ireland is below average is the anomalous 'General Services'. For this sub-category the figures are:<br /><br />Ireland 0.3% of GDP <br />Sweden 2.5% of GDP<br />Finland 3.3% of GDP<br />EU Mean 1.2% of GDP<br /><br /><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/3859598/5917333/KS-RA-11-013-EN.PDF/2eb9714a-ee4b-49fe-baab-e9af5ca457b1?" rel="nofollow">This manual</a> provides a definition of what is in this category:<br /><br /> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<br /><br /><b>01.3 GENERAL SERVICES</b> <br /><br />This group covers services that are not connected with a specific function and which are usually undertaken by central offices at the various levels of government. It also covers those services connected with a particular function that are undertaken by such central offices. For example, the compilation of industry, environment, health or education statistics by a central statistical agency is included here. <br /><br /><b>01.31 General personnel services (CS)</b> <br />Administration and operation of general personnel services, including development and implementation of general personnel policies and procedures covering selection, promotion, rating methods, the description, evaluation and classification of jobs, the administration of civil service regulations and similar matters. <br /><br />Excludes: personnel administration and services connected with a specific function (classified according to function). <br /><br /><b>01.32 Overall planning and statistical services (CS)</b> <br /><br />Administration and operation of overall economic and social planning services and of overall statistical services, including formulation, coordination and monitoring of overall economic and social plans and programs and of overall statistical plans and programs. <br /><br />Excludes: economic and social planning services and statistical services connected with a specific function (classified according to function). <br /><br /><b>01.33 Other general services (CS)</b> <br /><br />Administration and operation of other general services such as centralized supply and purchasing services, maintenance and storage of government records and archives, operation of government owned or occupied buildings, central motor vehicle pools, government operated printing offices, centralized computer and data processing services, etc. <br /><br />Excludes: other general services connected with a specific function (classified according to function).<br /><br /> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<br /><br />It would be interesting to know what exactly other countries are spending more on in this category. Spending 1% of GDP more (to reach the EU mean) would be around €1.6 billion additional under this heading.Seamushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679299530222667673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2826531655042170344.post-85347488110416224312015-01-15T16:33:44.530+00:002015-01-15T16:33:44.530+00:00What would Table 3 look like if you took out debt ...What would Table 3 look like if you took out debt interest repayments from all EU countries (which are included under General Public Services). This is likely to leave less public expenditure for public services in Ireland compared to the EU average.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com