Government departments face return of Troika-style spending controls 

Any attempt by ministers to keep Covid-19 funds into next year “will not be entertained” as the Government looks to slash at least €12bn in spending.

Any attempt by ministers to keep Covid-19 funds into next year “will not be entertained” as the Government looks to slash at least €12bn in spending.

Troika-style budget controls have been slapped on the biggest government departments such as health, education and social protection as part of a need to cut an estimated €12bn from State spending.

Workers are to begin transitioning back from the €350 pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) to the normal jobseeker’s rate of €203 a week from June, as Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath looks to wean the country off emergency Covid-19 spending.