Public servants’ €1.5bn allowances unlikely to be cut

Allowances to public servants costing the State €1.5bn a year are unlikely to be cut, Government sources have indicated.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin announced a review of the 800 or so allowances during last December’s budget.

Mr Howlin is expected to brief his ministerial colleagues tomorrow on the results of the review at the first Cabinet meeting following the summer recess.