Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I asked how many civil servants have availed of the schemes.

In terms of the forthcoming budget, how much of the €4 billion does the Minister expect will be contributed by cost savings as distinct from taxation increases? That is critical, and he has spoken at length about looking at the matter. However, the Minister cannot tax his way out of a recession and he must look at it in that context. He has not answered the question. In the context of the McCarthy report, he should give us a firm figure. How much of the €4 billion that he needs to find in the forthcoming budget will comprise cost savings?

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