Bord Snip Nua recommends €5.3bn worth of cuts

The Department of Finance has published An Bord Snip Nua's recommendations for around €5.3bn worth of public spending cuts.

The 80-page report by the specialist team headed by UCD economist Colm McCarthy includes hundreds of proposals, including the abolition of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

It recommends a reduction of up to 5% in social welfare rates, an increase in the retirement age, a reduction in the number of Irish embassies and increases in hospital charges.

Other proposals include a cut of 500 in Defence Forces personnel, an amalgamation of small primary schools, means tests for home-care packages and reduced spending on road maintenance.

An Bord Snip is also recommending the abolition of Sports Campus Ireland and the Irish Film Board, a 33% reduction in the number of VECs and the discontinuation of the rural transport scheme.