More money is expected for Northern Ireland's hospitals, schools and roads when Finance Minister Mr Mark Durkan announces his draft budget for 2002/2003 today.
Mr Durkan is expected to announce the budget will be higher than this year's figure of £5.8 billion sterling.
The Department of Health should receive several million more than planned as it tries to reduce the North's waiting lists - the longest in Britain.
Education will also get a boost as the focus continues on improvements to school buildings.
With a big spend anticipated on the North's roads and rail networks, the Department of Regional Development is expected to receive a sizeable increase in this year's budget.
It is likely Mr Durkan will announce a hike in this year's rates to help pay for these increases.
Last year, his announcement of a rate increase of 8 per cent in the domestic rate caused outrage in the Assembly. He later reduced the increase to 7 per cent.
The budget is expected to be finalised by early December.
PA