Govt unveils €150m-a-day spending plans
The Government will spend almost €150m each day in 2007, according to the Book of Estimates unveiled today by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen.
The spending plans include €14bn on health and €8bn on education services. Almost €14bn will be spent on social welfare payments with further increases in next month’s budget.
Mr Cowen said: “These estimates are fiscally sustainable, economically appropriate and politically responsible. The economy is at full employment and growing at its potential. Maintaining stability has been the cornerstone of our economic success.”
Funding in health includes improvement in services for the elderly, health professionals and facilities in hospitals.
Spending on garda resources increases by more than 10% to €1.4bn.
The allocation for the education sector aims to recruit 800 extra teachers in 2007 and reduce class sizes and help tackle problems of disability and disadvantage.
The annual spending increase of €4bn in public services will also inject cash into public transport, social housing and agriculture.
