THE CABINET SIGNED off on a comprehensive expenditure programme last night, to clear the way for the Jobs Budget later this year.

Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin saying that he wished for changes to be made early in the government’s time in office. “I wanted it to happen early in the life of the Government so that people wouldn’t be captured by their departments and have to defend every line of spending,” Howlin said.

RTÉ reports that all ministers are being asked to investigate ways to create savings, including sharing resources are getting rid of services that are not essential. Howlin said that one option for departments to consider would be outsourcing to the private sector, reports the Irish Times.

“This is a collective effort for this country to get to a place where we can pay our own way without borrowing,” the minister said.

The recommendations of the McCarthy report was not discussed last night, and will be looked into separately by the Cabinet.

Two minsiters are to meet with representatives from EU and the IMF later today – following the IMF revising downwards its growth prediction for Ireland yesterday.

Read more: Government to sign off on spending review as quangos and State assets targeted >