The social partners are locked in intensive talks today on a successor to Sustaining Progress at Government Buildings today.
The chances of agreement have risen considerably in the past two weeks, and it is thought a deal could be struck over the weekend.
But trade unions will want to see the range of social provisions in the deal before finalising their position on the key elements of pay and employment protections.
The Taoiseach speaking in the Dail earlier this week.
Agreement in principle on pay has already been achieved between unions and employers, but pensions and employment legislation remain the sticking points.
The current pay proposal will see a 10 per cent pay rise over 27 months for most workers, with an extra half per cent for the lower paid.
Unions and employers have agreed on this in principle and are close to agreement on regulatory and legislative measures to prevent the downgrading and displacement of jobs, and exploitation of immigrant workers.
But employers' concerns about the affordability of pension schemes remains a crucial and, according to one source, a potentially decisive stumbling block.
The social provisions proposed by the Government were revealed in today's Irish Timesin what Taoiseach Bertie Ahern hopes will be a 10-year deal.
The provisions, which are due to be the main focus of today's talks, include:
- The creation of a high-level group to assist the beleaguered manufacturing sector
- social housing measures with greater emphasis on the role of the voluntary sector
- measures to help the marginalised, the disabled and older people to participate in society though education and training in particular
- Assistance for the integration and education of migrant school children