Ministers ‘shocked’ by October budget warnings

Passing the next budget in October is set to be “very difficult” in light of new spending warnings from Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, according to ministers.

They were left “bemused and shocked” by his warnings in recent days, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

Ministers will have to make cuts to existing services if they want to pay for new spending plans next year, they were told.