The Taoiseach has said the level of spending by the Government during the Covid-19 pandemic, is “not sustainable” and must “move to the next stage”.
Micheál Martin made his remarks at the opening of the National Economic Dialogue (NED) which takes place online this year.
The NED allows for various interest groups to raise their concerns and views as part of the planning for October’s Budget.
The Taoiseach said housing would be at the centre of the recovery of the economy. The details of a new ‘Housing for All’ strategy will be published shortly, he said.
At the same event, Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe said “we cannot continue to run a strongly expansionary budgetary policy while growth accelerates.”
He told the audience that by the end of this year, the national debt will be close to €0.25 trillion.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said the public finances must be managed “sensibly” to avoid problems “down the line”.