Paschal Donohoe: Just €300m extra available for Budget 2018

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has warned his fellow ministers to “dial down” their expectations for the forthcoming budget, senior Government sources have said.

Mr Donohoe and his officials have begun the process of preparing the budget, but with just €300m of additional spending on offer, he has made it known that applications for increased spending have to “realistic” and “evidenced-based”.

Mr Donohoe and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are keen to manage expectations given the small amount of additional monies available this year.