The Government has officially sought Dáíl approval for bailouts for a series of state bodies and agencies - worth a total of €1.2 BILLION.

Over half of the money - €680 million - will go towards bailing out the health service, the lion's share of which is bound for the HSE.

In all, the various bodies getting bailouts come under the responsibility of eight various Departments. 

The HSE accounts for around €510 million of the health overspend, with the rest going to the State Claims Agency and to cover a shortfall in health revenues.

There's also an extra €177 million for the Department of Agriculture, €162 million for the Department of Transport, and €103 million for the Department of Education.

There's also a request for €27 million to cover the higher-than-expected costs of state and military pensions.

Each department's overspend will have to go to an Oireachtas committee next week for formal approval - meaning an uncomfortable few afternoons for several ministers next week.