The Cabinet has approved legislation that will cut the number of TDs.
The Electoral Amendment Bill will be published later this week along with the first results of the Census of Population and establishment of a boundary Commission.
The Commission will be asked to re-draw the boundaries for the next Dáil election with a range in the number of TDs to be elected.
It is understood this will suggest a cut of around 20 TDs from the current 166 elected.