Figures expected to show €2bn gap in public finances

Exchequer figures are expected to confirm this evening that a €2bn hole has opened up in the public finances since the April Budget.

The Finance Minister Brian Lenihan told the Dáil that tax revenues remain poor and will not hit the €34bn forecast made last April.

However, the minister also indicated that unemployment is beginning to bottom out saying there has been no increase in Live Register figures for the month of October.

Mr Lenihan said: "I should point out that the CSO figures to the end of October will show for the first time that the Live Register has not increased in the month of October.

"There is clearly a stabilisation in the growth of unemployment at this stage."