The Minister for Finance says today's budget will contain three billion euro savings and will be a tough one - but he says the inclusion of free GP care for under 5s will be welcomed by many young families.
Michael Noonan has arrived at Government Buildings ahead of his Budget 2014 speech this afternoon.
Security is tight around the Dail ahead of this afternoon's budget speech which begins at 2:30.
Thousands of people are expected to protest in and around Leinster House this afternoon. There is already a heavy garda presence in the area.
It's speculated that the free GP care for under 5s will be paid for through a toughening up on medical card thresholds for pensioners.
But Minister Noonan says the two issues are separate:
