The Finance Minister has refused to give any indication of how much room to manoeuvre the government has on the Budget.

Michael Noonan has ruled out a full €3.1 billion of adjustments but will not say how much lower he can go.

The Minister is insistent that Ireland still has to meet its Troika targets but how we do so is still undecided.

The Social Protection Minister says she expects an easing of the pressure for budget cuts on her Department now the correction will be less than originally planned.

Meanwhile the junior Finance Minister says the budget will be a "message of hope" for people.

The biggest spenders - Health, Education and Social Protection - are where the axe is set to fall.

Joan Burton thinks her budget cut will be eased.

The Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes says while still a tough budget, it is aimed at giving people a message that the worst is over.