Exchequer figures for April show that tax revenues were €3.1 billion higher than profiled and 20 percent up on the same month last year. Similarly, excise duties were €44 million or 10 percent above profile and nearly 60 percent up on a year-on-year basis. However social welfare expenditure sustained the Exchequer deficit of €7.6 billion.

An Exchequer deficit of €7,629 million was recorded to end-April 2021 as total gross voted expenditure to end-April was €26.7 billion, €800 million or 3 percent ahead of profile and up €2.2 billion on the same period last year. Spending by the Department of Social Protection to-date is €1.6 billion or 17 percent over profile and up €2.3 billion year-on-year.

For full details see the Department of Finance’s Fiscal Monitor April 2021.