The government is forecasting a budget deficit this year of 7.3 percent, just inside the target set by Ireland's international lenders.

In a document published today, the Department of Finance predicts it will collect tax revenues of 37.8 billion euro this year, 125 million below its target.

For 2014, the department expects to collect total taxes of 40 billion euro.

Government spending on public services will fall to 50.4 billion euro in 2014, from an estimated 51.2 billion this year.

The Cabinet will meet this evening to sign off on the Budget.

Last night the Taoiseach told the Fine Gael conference in Limerick it was essential to get out of our bailout on December 15th.