Snip report 'to cut 20,000 jobs'

Up to 20,000 job cuts in the public sector are to be recommended to the Government in the report from the so-called An Bord Snip Nua, it has been reported.

The cuts would be introduced over the next five years and would amount to more than €5bn of savings to the Government's annual spending.

The report is due to be put before the Cabinet this week.

Media reports today suggest that most of the recommended cutbacks will be in the areas of health services and education, including third level institutions.

Areas under the control of the Department of Justice, such as the Garda Siochána, will also be targeted.

A drop in social welfare payments of between 3% and 5% may be put forward, as well as a rationalisation of many state agencies, including FÁS and Enterprise Ireland.

It is also believed the Office of the Children's Ombudsman may face a merger with another state body, or be axed altogether.

Senior Ministers have already stressed that all decisions on cutbacks will ultimately lie with the Government, but with many departments under renewed pressure to come up with savings, the report's recommendations will mean more difficult decisions are on the way.