The government is to open up discussions on getting more from the Croke Park Agreement and a possible successor deal. 

Invitations will be issued to trade unions as early as this evening to a talks process to begin next week. 

It follows a briefing to Cabinet earlier by the Public Expenditure Minister on extra savings identified following a review in each Department in recent weeks. 

The government said the invitation was issued in light of its determination to meet the challenges posed by on-going economic difficulties facing this country over the period 2013 to 2015.

Deficit reduction targets

The Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin says it must its target of reducing the deficit below 3% of GDP by 2015.

Depending on the initial discussions the sides will then enter a period of negotiation with the objective of securing agreement on workplace changes and savings with public servants at the earliest possible date.