The final headline figure for the Budget is expected to be signed off by Ministers, after the latest data on the ecomomy is released later.

The Exchequer Returns will be published this afternoon - the last official data due out before the budget is announced on October 15th.

The Exchequer returns for September are due out at 4:30pm - and they'll tell us how the State's coffers are looking with three-quarters of the year gone.

Ministers were given a preview of the figures at yesterday's cabinet meeting - it is the last piece of information ministers' need, before they decide on the final extent of tax increases and spending cuts.

The four-member Economic Management Council will meet this evening and will likely decide on the final budget figure, because there isn't another cabinet meeting until next Tuesday.

The four-man committee, featuring the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and ministers Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin, will set the final target - which is likely to be a little under the Troika demand of €3.1 billion.

Whatever leeway remains, will be determined by the tax figures: if income is a little lower than had been expected, the State will need to cut deeper in order to keep on track.