The Tánaiste is to call on the European Commission to ease the rules that restrict Ireland's budget spending.

Joan Burton will make the comments in a speech in the US tonight.

Strong economic growth forecast for this year means the Government is expecting to have extra cash as it prepares October's budget.

Joan Burton will tell Boston College tonight that the Fine Gael/Labour coalition should be allowed to spend it on jobs, tax cuts, education and infrastructure.

Rules currently in place mean the revenue is earmarked for debt reduction. The Tánaiste is expected to call on the European Commission to show some 'flexibility' on the issue.

The Irish Times reports she will also tell the audience that the government will not take actions that would put the economy at risk, and there will be no 'splurge'.

Enda Kenny said earlier this month that the tax regime for self-employed workers is "discriminatory" and cannot be justified any longer, and signalled there will be further reductions in this year's Budget.

Last year's Budget included a 3% increase on the Universal Social Charge for self-employed workers on six-figure salaries.

However Mr Kenny also said giving tax cuts to the self-employed will take a number of years to implement.