Budget will focus on health and education, says Minister

The Minister for Agriculture has indicated that health and education will be priority sectors in the forthcoming budget.

Mary Coughlan said heightened public expectations of a giveaway budget are totally unfounded.

The Minister said the Government will work towards sustaining the economy: "Expectations have risen which are totally unfounded and way beyond the ability of any government," she said.

"We in the government have to pick a number of priorities which we are going to emphasis for investment to promote sustainability in the economy.

"But also we have a number of other departments like health and education where we have a huge emphasis and need and that's where his emphasis is going to be."