The Public Expenditure Minister doesn't expect to see a return to austerity to pay off Covid-19 expenditure.
Michael McGrath says outgoings related to the virus will be up to 8 billion euro next year, with the total bill so far standing at around 30 billion.
He also expects a significant recovery in the economy, but doesn't want it to take off like a rocket, as previously suggested by Tanaiste Leo Varadkar.
However, Minister McGrath says there are deficits as a result of Covid-19 which must be made up.
