Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said his televised address to the nation will give an overview of the challenges faced ahead of next week's Budget.
It will be broadcast after the 9pm news tomorrow on RTÉ One and on RTÉ.ie/news.
He said it would be the first of a number of tough budgets agreed under this Programme for Government in the years ahead.
Mr Kenny said the reality was that the country was in the region of €18bn out of line and that unpalatable choices had to be made.
He said the focus now was on creating the right environment for job creation and he pointed to the microfinance scheme, the partial loan guarantee scheme and lending from banks as crucial to manufacturing and further job creation.
He said the country's debt problems were taking place against the backdrop of the eurozone crisis and that Ireland was tied up with other European leaders taking correct and decisive action.
Asked about a newspaper article giving details of a confidential report about low morale and disarray in the Department of the Taoiseach while Dermot McCarthy was in charge, he said that he had not seen the report but there was a new secretary general in place and that plans were being implemented to raise morale and make the running of the department more effective.
He said the public service had been let run down but, with proper timelines and leadership in place, confidence in the public service could be restored.
The Taoiseach was speaking at the opening of an exhibition in the family resource centre in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, to mark International Day of People with Disability.
Kenny should 'put on the green jersey' - Adams
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said he is concerned that the Taoiseach is acquiescing to French and German interests in relation to central budgetary control of over other member states.
He said that Mr Kenny must "put on the green jersey" and make it clear that Ireland will not accept a centralisation of fiscal power and further loss of fiscal authority and that he is also against the emergence of a two tier Europe.
He also called on the Taoiseach to make it clear that a referendum will be called if there are any treaty changes.
In relation to the Taoiseach's televised address tomorrow, Gerry Adams said that nothing of interest will be said and that the Taoiseach has a very good scriptwriter.
He also said that €2.2bn in cuts are going to be made in next week's Budget and in January the Government will give €1.2bn to unguaranteed bondholders.
Deficit projections on target, says Govt
The Government expects its deficit projections to remain on target, despite the tax take being €700m less than forecast.
The latest details on the public finances are included in the Department of Finance's White Paper on Receipts and Expenditure.
It shows the cost of servicing the national debt will rise by €2.6bn next year.
