CABINET MINISTERS WILL have to make deeper and more extensive cuts in their department spending after massive shortfalls were uncovered in budgets set down by the previous government.

The Sunday Business Post reports that massive “black holes” are being uncovered in budgets drawn up by the previous government for the four-year plan submitted to the EU and IMF as part of the country’s bailout package agreed last year.

Ministers assessing their department spending as part of the comprehensive spending review due later this year uncovered the shortfalls. Minister for social protection Joan Burton has accused the previous government of not being “upfront” about how they had planned to make savings.

The minister for transport Leo Varadkar says that the shortfall could impact on plans for new road projects in Galway, Dublin and Wexford.

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Government spending plans may be affected by shortfalls found in four-year plan

Read more from Niamh Connolly in today’s Sunday Business Post >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.