Howlin: Spending cuts in public sector 'unavoidable'

The Public Sector Reform Minister Brendan Howlin has warned that more significant spending cuts and a further substantial reduction in jobs in the public sector are unavoidable.

Mr Howlin's remarks come following the publication of the first review of the Croke Park Agreement, which states there has been solid and measurable progress on the implementation of the deal.

Almost €600m in savings were generated during the first 12 months of the Agreement, of which €289m was achieved through paybill savings.

In the year to the end of March last , the number of people working in the public sector fell by 5,349, with the majority coming from the health services.