The Government is to spend €3 billion less this year than in 2010, according to the revised estimates for public services.

The 5 per cent decrease means that an estimated €57.5 million will be spent by the State this year.

As indicated in the budget last December, capital expenditure will bear the brunt of most of the cuts, with spending on capital projects to be cut by 25.4 per cent compared to 2010 to €4.7 billion.

Gross current expenditure will be 2.7 per cent lower, at €52.8 billion.

The estimates - a standard stage of the budgetary process each year - give a fuller, more detailed breakdown of spending by each department than provided on budget day.

A breakdown of the total voted current expenditure shows that 39 per cent of the €52.8 billion to be spent, has been allocated to social protection, 27 per cent to health and 16 per cent on education.

In terms of capital expenditure, 11 per cent will be spent on enterprise, 22 per cent on road transport, and 8 per cent on public transport.