Book of Estimates confirms 5% increase in Government spending

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that Government spending is to increase by 5% to €40bn in 2004 but that the Government must achieve value for money within this.

The bulk of the spending will be concentrated on the health service at €10bn, €6.5bn for education, social welfare €10.6bn while €5.5bn will be spent on capital projects.