The Government has decided to limit the growth in public expenditure with the aim of achieving a target of 2 per cent real growth in gross current supply services expenditure in 1996 the policy document as agreed in A Government of Renewal. The Government has asked all Ministers to review existing policies and expenditures with a view to maximising the benefits to be obtained within the Government's spending target. My Department is currently engaged in such a review but it is not possible, at this stage, to identify particular activities or projects in my Department which may be affected by this review in advance of specific decisions by the Government.
The Government also decided to defer the proposed new women's prison project, at Mountjoy, beyond 1966 and to defer the Castlerea prison project.