Exchequer deficit of €24.6bn for 2009
The Department of Finance has reported an Exchequer deficit of €24.6bn for 2009, compared to a deficit of €12.7bn in 2008.
However, the figure is better than had been expected in the December Budget.
Tax revenues were 3.9% below target at just over €33bn.
They were down 19% on a year on year basis and Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said the last time that receipts were at this level was in 2003.
The figures also show that total expenditure for the 12 months to December was 0.5% less than profiled at €47.2bn.
This confirms that the public finances are stabilising - but at a very low level.
The main area of weakness is VAT, hit by poor consumer spending, and income tax affected by rising unemployment.
However, a reasonable performance by foreign multinationals has helped corporation tax.
Mr Lenihan said: 'Given the small improvement in the actual deficit over that anticipated in the December Budget we face into this year's task with a greater sense of confidence.
'The challenges we face are great but the Government is committed to the targets set out in the recent Budget.
'Economic growth will return during the course of this year and this will assist in the ongoing improvement in the public finances.'
The Department of Finance has reported an Exchequer deficit of €24.6bn for 2009, compared to a deficit of €12.7bn in 2008.
However, the figure is better than had been expected in the December Budget.
Tax revenues were 3.9% below target at just over €33bn.
They were down 19% on a year on year basis and Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said the last time that receipts were at this level was in 2003.
The figures also show that total expenditure for the 12 months to December was 0.5% less than profiled at €47.2bn.
This confirms that the public finances are stabilising - but at a very low level.
The main area of weakness is VAT, hit by poor consumer spending, and income tax affected by rising unemployment.
However, a reasonable performance by foreign multinationals has helped corporation tax.
Mr Lenihan said: 'Given the small improvement in the actual deficit over that anticipated in the December Budget we face into this year's task with a greater sense of confidence.
'The challenges we face are great but the Government is committed to the targets set out in the recent Budget.
'Economic growth will return during the course of this year and this will assist in the ongoing improvement in the public finances.'
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