Troika will warn Reilly to reign in overspending

The Troika is to put pressure on Minister James Reilly to reign in overspending in the department of health's budget.

EU officials in Brussels say the latest review of Ireland's bailout will focus on strengthening budgetary management in the health sector.

The eighth review of Ireland's bailout deal begins in Dublin this evening when officials from the EU the IMF and the ECB meet with government.

But the budget overruns in the department of health are causing a problem for the Troika and EU officials, in an off the record briefing, said the review will focus on strengthening budgetary management in the health sector to ensure it can deliver its objectives.

In other words, Minister Reilly will be asked to cut his cloth to fit his measure.

The officials also say the mission starting today will concentrate on ensuring that Ireland's adjustment is done in such a way that burden sharing is fair and that the most vulnerable are protected.