The government has decided to cut just 1 of the 800 allowances paid to existing public servants.

As a result the Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin said he would not reach his target of €75 million in savings.

Instead a definite saving of just €3.5 million will be made.

The Minister reviewed all the allowances and decided to cut just one – a payment to officials going abroad to chair meetings.

Public servants will continue to receive payments such as the Garda boot allowance, the Prison Officers Tuck Shop payment and the allowance for local authority workers who cannot eat lunch at their desk.

Minister Brendan Howlin hopes the rest of the savings can be made from premium pay through talks under the Croke Park Agreement.

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