Burton: Too early to discuss budget

The easing of budgetary pressure provides an opportunity to create a “social dialogue” between the Government, employers, and workers, according to Social Protection Minister Joan Burton.

She also said any extra cash in the State coffers could be pumped into the construction industry through a “strategic investment bank”, which would lend to building firms finding it hard to get credit.

Ms Burton was speaking after a report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) indicated that higher than expected growth this year could mean that the Government can scale back its planned €2bn in cuts and tax increases for next year.