The Tánaiste is refusing to say how much will be saved by cutting 88 allowances for current public sector workers.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin announced last night that that some 88 allowances would be scrapped after all.

Fianna Fáil says one of the allowances will save a total of just €2,500 while another will deliver less than €20,000.

While the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform says good progress is being made in implementing the Public Service Reform Plan.

He is appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

However Mr. Howlin admits the pace of change needs to be accelerated.

He says he wants to fundamentally change the way in which public services are delivered.

Minister Howlin also says without meaningful and sustained reform the existing costs and practices will be locked into the system.

While despite repeated questioning in the Dáil Eamon Gilmore would only say the public service pay bill has been reduced already by €3.1 billion and he blamed Fianna Fáil for putting the allowances in place.

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