Taoiseach to outline major reforms of public sector

The Taoiseach is set to outline major reforms of the public service today that are expected to include widespread restructuring and thousands of job cuts.

Newspaper reports say a four-person committee being dubbed "An Bórd Snip Nua" will be appointed to implemented spending and job cuts and to examine if more state agencies can be rationalised.

A National Operations Unit will also reportedly be established to ensure value for money in all state purchases.

The main plank of the reforms, however, will be an extensive redundancy programme.

Business groups have been calling for public-sector job cuts for some time, claiming the public sector is bloated and overstaffed.

However, unions say the OECD has found that Ireland's public-service numbers are not high by international standards, and that staffing levels in the public sector cannot be cut without also affecting services.