€1.4bn has been approved for public services

The Dáil has approved €1.4bn in extra spending for public services for 2015.

The spending was signed off this lunchtime without a vote being called.

It includes €600m in extra funding for the health service, and almost €300m for the social welfare budget.

2015 is the last year the Dáil will be allowed to sanction extra spending at the end of the year.

The process is now being phased out under EU rules.