As part of Budget 2013 coverage in The Irish Times and on irishtimes.com, a number of our correspondents have outlined the problems facing various Government ministers and the options they have before them when it comes to finding €3.5 billion in savings and revenue raising measures. Individuals likely to be affected by the decisions, to be outlined on Wednesday by Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin, have also spoken to us about what they hope, and fear, may be announced.
Young people in Dublin offer their thoughts on what the looming budget will mean for them:
Madeleine Lyons, Irish Times Property Editor, discusses what the budget is likely to mean in terms of property:
Annie Crean (80), a widow living alone in Ballymun, Dublin, talks about her fears for next week's budget. She says: "I love my country but I am beginning to hate it."
Gráinne Faller, who reports on education for The Irish Times, discusses the challenges facing Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn and those in his department, where fresh cuts of up to €100 million are expected to be sought.
Irish Times Health Correspondent Paul Cullen discusses the decisions facing Minister for Health Dr James Reilly, who is already dealing with a substantial annual deficit in his department and is expected to have to find hundreds of millions more in savings for 2013.
Let us know what you hope, fear or think about what is coming down the line in Budget 2013 by leaving a comment below or emailing news@irishtimes.com