The Government has held a pre-budget Cabinet meeting in Dublin today to discuss a number of issues ahead of Budget Day on December 7th.
No details are expected to emerge from the meeting however, ministers are reported to be discussing the Government's spending estimates published by the Minister for Finance Brian Cowen last Thursday.
Mr Cowen unveiled a spending package for 2006 worth €48.5 billion with health, education and social welfare receiving the largest allocation.
Spending in the Department of Health will rise to over €12 billion, an increase of €750 million or 9 per cent. The Department of Education will receive €7.2 billion in 2006 - a 7.9 per cent rise on this year's allocation while Social and Family Affairs will receive €12.4 billion.
