More cuts may be on way next year

THE Government is considering a series of drastic cost-cutting measures if the economy takes another hit next year.

These include reviewing eligibility for child benefit, increasing third level fees to 1,000, job cuts in the defence forces and slowing down the road-building programme.

The controversial plan was drawn up by the so-called Three Wise Men, a panel of experts appointed by the Government to help bring spending under control if economic growth deteriorates.