Measures which all state sponsored bodies and the public service will have to take to prepare for the euro will be set out within about 10 days. The second National Changeover Plan is due to be published next week, slightly behind its end-1997 deadline.

The plan will extend the scope of the first plan to cover state-sponsored bodies, local authorities and health boards.

The Budget in early December as well as sparse Government meetings in the weeks leading up Christmas meant the deadline for publication has been missed.

However, the Department of Finance insists Ireland is still one of the only countries in the EU to have moved to the second phase of the changeover.

In the first edition of the plan, the arrangements to be made by the Department, the Central Bank, the National Treasury Management Agency, the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Welfare and other Government departments were outlined.

Already banks and building societies have upgraded clearing infrastructures and standards to allow for cheque clearing, direct debits and credit transfers in euros.

After Ireland's entry to the project on January 1st, 1999, any banking service required in euros will be available in Ireland.

It is expected that major statesponsored bodies such as Telecom Eireann, Forfas and IDA Ireland will also have to set up systems to deal with both currencies.

It is not yet clear whether Government departments will be obliged to make payments in euros before the introduction of euro notes and coins in 2002. However, they will be obliged to accept payments in either currency.