The Tanaiste says an IMF recommendation to cut social welfare payments is not something the government has to follow.

Eamon Gilmore says a suggestion yesterday from the International Monetary Fund that medical cards, and child benefit should be means tested is not something which has to be considered in next years budget.

The IMF wants means-testing for child benefit payments and cutting the cost of medical cards in order to save the government money.

But Eamon Gilmore told Sinn Fein in the Dail that the suggestion is not something the government has to act on.