Cowen announces all-time spending high
The Minister for Finance Brian Cowen has announced that Government spending next year will reach an all-time high.
According to the Book of Estimates for 2005, public spending will increase by 9%.
Spending on health will rise to almost €11bn, which is equivalent to a quarter of the funding generated by the State.
The estimates also contain provision for €7.1bn to be spent on education while the Department of Social and Family Affairs has been allocated a budget of €11.4bn.
