Date for the 1998 Budget is fixed for October

THE date of the 1998 Budget has been fixed for October 29th, marking the beginning of the multi-annual budget process.

This announcement, following yesterday's Cabinet meeting, means the Estimates process will be brought forward by at least three months to April as Exchequer planning ties in closer to the calendar year.

All parties in the Dail are expected to adhere to the new date, irrespective of which coalition alliance is in government at the time.

The Government also decided yesterday to increase the number of ordinary High Court judges by three to a maximum of 23, including the President of the High Court. It plans to fill only one posit ion, replacing Miss Justice Mella Carroll, who will spend six months to a year chairing the Nurses' Commission.

The proposal to allow Esat Digifone to locate their equipment on Garda sites and masts was also formally approved.

The Cabinet decided to set up an inter-departmental group to examine the position of early school leavers. It will comprise the Departments of the Taoiseach, Tanaiste, Social Welfare, Employment and Enterprise, Justice, Health, Finance, Marine and representatives of FAS.

The Government approved the Social Welfare Bill for publication within days and the draft heads of the Bill to set up the Food Safety Authority on a statutory basis.