Govt expects growth to hit 4% this year
The Government's Spring Statement is set to boost the expected growth for the Irish economy this year.
According to the Irish Times, Michael Noonan's five-year plan will assume a 4% expansion in 2015, compared to a 2.9% estimate outlined in this year's budget.
It is also expected to set aside between €1.2bn and €1.4bn to cover spending increases and tax cuts for October's budget.
The Public Expenditure Minister is set to ask for permission to enter talks with unions about public pay restoration, while the Government is also likely to start to examine how to sell down its stake in Allied Irish Bank.
Cabinet ministers are due to sign off on the plan tomorrow, before it is made public.
