Brian Cowen has warned public sector unions the Government must impose drastic spending cuts -- regardless of how many strikes are staged.

Speaking as the unions prepare to hold a national stoppage tomorrow, the Taoiseach said he does not think strikes are "going to achieve anything".

Up to 300,000 staff in the public service are staging a one-day strike on Tuesday in protest at Government proposals for further pay cuts.

Mr Cowen said the action, or any future disruption, will not alter the economic facts -- that "there is €32bn coming in and up to €58bn going out" of the State coffers.

The Taoiseach said he would prefer if the financial challenges facing the country were recognised "rather than people suggesting that no change is a viable option".

His comments come as the trade unions were expected to agree to go back into talks with the Government to discuss how €1.3bn in savings can be achieved without pay cuts.

But Mr Cowen warned that the Government had to act to correct the national finances in the interests of all taxpayers.

He said the "money coming in" is a lot less than in previous years and "that means we have to make adjustments".

The Taoiseach told a newspaper that unless the cutbacks are made, everything that has been achieved in this country in recent years will be put at risk.

It emerged today that payments to 55,000 welfare recipients will be delayed by a day as a result of the strike action.

Recipients who are paid through post offices are not expected to be affected.

All offices at the Department of Social and Family Affairs will be closed to the public tomorrow due to the industrial action.

Delay

The department said the vast majority of the over 1.3 million weekly welfare payments -- made through electronic fund transfer --will not be affected.

However, about 35,000 people on short-term schemes and whose weekly payment is due this Wednesday will experience a delay of one day. It will also affect a further 20,000 recipients who are paid by cheque.

The public service committee of ICTU is scheduled to consider plans for further industrial action. However, due to the flooding, the Irish Nurses' Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses' Association have decided to suspend tomorrow's planned industrial action in Cork City and County, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and its immediate area.

It is understood the Government is looking at giving public servants 10 days of unpaid leave in a bid to save €600m.

In addition, child benefit could be cut by 20pc in an effort to save €300m as the Government prepares to cut €4bn from exchequer spending.

- Cormac Murphy comurphy@herald.ie