The first position papers on a draft economic recovery agreement are expected to be exchanged between the social partners tomorrow.
Trade union leaders met with Government officials for about two hours this afternoon where they received a briefing on the economy.
In the economic briefing given to unions today Government officals said that the exchequer deficit at the end of March was €3.7 billion, but all taxes were down year-on-year and PRSI receipts were also weak.
Unions and employers are currently meeting about the status in the private sector of the pay deal negoitated last Autumn.
Talks between unions and Government are to resume at 3pm tomorrow at Government Buildings.
Union leaders will be expected to carefully examine Government proposals for reform of private sector pension arrangements. Many schemes are currently in serious financial difficulties.
Government proposals in relation to the controversial pension levy in the public sector will also be eagerly awaited.
Lower-paid civil servants are planning to escalate their campaign of industrial action if their concerns about the levy are not addressed in the current social partnership talks.
Last month, trade unions and business leaders accepted an invitation from the Taoiseach to take part in talks on a new national agreement.
Unions also deferred a planned national day of strike action following the invitation.
