The Finance Minister says if there is extra cash after next year's Budget it should be used to grow the economy and create jobs.
Speaking this morning, Michael Noonan said that there's a possibility that there will be "spare capacity" in 2014.
However, he's insisting that Ireland would still have to stick to the troika adjustment targets, and continue with the programme of cuts in order to stay on track for a bailout exit.
Minister Noonan also says just because progress is being made a spending spree is not an option:
Continued austerity is the way forward
A research professor with the ESRI is warning the Government against putting an immediate end to austerity in Ireland.
John Fitzgerald says Ireland needs at least one more austerity budget this year before the Government eases up on cutbacks or else we will not exit the bailout programme as planned.
It comes following a speech by the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso in Brussels yesterday in which he said austerity is not working.
John Fitzgerald says Mr Barosso was directing his comments at countries like Germany and France - and says the Government needs to continue with tough budgets until 2015 at least:
Ireland still under review
The recommendation comes as the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission arrive in Dublin to examine Ireland's financial progress.
The 10th Troika review comes at a crucial time, with the Government having failed to gain the support of public sector unions in making savings of €1bn over the next three years in the public sector in the year when Ireland is looking to exit the bailout programme.
The assessment of our current financial situation is expected to last a forthnight.
New figures from the Department of Finance look set to show that public finances are on target and possibly even better than targets in the first quarter making it likely that Ireland will pass and receive the latest tranche of aid.
Despite Ireland's continued sucess with Troika reviews, the deal on the promissory note, the Tainaiste moved to quell speculation yesterday that the government would not be easing up on austerity.
