Government to make more cutbacks

The Government is making more cutbacks; the latest to be affected is the Department of Education.

Charlie McCreevy has asked the Department of Education to make savings of €52m.

€15m will be raised from the increase in third level charges. €20.5m worth of cuts have already been announced but now the Irish Times reports €6m will be slashed from initiatives aimed at reducing the school drop out rate, and €5m will be cut from programmes to attract disadvantaged school leavers to third level.

Meanwhile the €82m in cuts demanded in the roads budget is reportedly causing friction between the environment Minister and his colleague in transport.

Martin Cullen says the majority should come from the new Department of Transport as it has responsibility for roads.

While the Department of Defence is trying to identify another €10m worth of cuts.