The Government is to evaluate actions it may take against unemployed people who do not turn up for interviews with the Department of Social Protection.



The information was revealed by the Department of Finance today as part of the Government's commitment in an IMF and EU memo.



The document includes commitments to strengthen training and intervention policies aimed at getting jobseekers back to work.



The Department of Social Protection is to prepare a plan after an evaluation of how these policies should work.



This includes penalty sanctions and whether the long-term unemployed have "adequate incentives and skills" to return to work.



The Government has also said that it will prepare a preliminary proposal for the restructuring of Irish Life & Permanent by the end of this month, with a final decision by the end of April.



It says this will build on an analysis of options completed by the bank itself, with recapitalisation to be completed by the end of the second quarter.



In addition, the updated Memorandum of Understanding includes, for the first time, a reference to using the proceeds from the sale of State assets to reinvest in the economy.



No figures are given for the amount likely to be raised from any such sale, as negotiations are continuing with the Troika, while analysis is continuing on which assets could be sold.



It also says it will update the Troika by the end of March on progress towards the introduction of water meters, with a detailed implementation plan by the end of April.



This is with a view to bringing water charges in by the end of the EU/IMF programme at the end of 2013.



The Government also commits to strengthening the "inability to pay" clause in planned legislation on the pay rules known as Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements, which cover some sectors of the economy.



The paper also sets out plans for at least €3.5bn of measures in Budget 2013, including tax-raising measures of €1.2bn.



These will include "a broadening of the personal income tax base", an increase in excise duty and other indirect taxes, and a restructuring of motor tax.



The document stresses, however, that the Government can substitute one of more of these with others that would have the same effect.



Elsewhere, the EU, European Central Bank and IMF has confirmed that the Government can use some of the proceeds of any sale of State assets to reinvest in the economy, instead of paying down debt.



The latest update to the Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the Troika sets out for the first time how any money raised through asset sales would be spent.

