Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, we are not. There are swings and roundabouts in every month's Exchequer returns. Some taxes are up, some are down. The taxes received by the Exchequer in the first ten months of the year are €613 million ahead of forecast. We made additional expenditure commitments during the summer, including approximately €500 million for health and some extra money for justice, flood damage, roads, the schools summer repair scheme and so on. The Christmas bonus, which was not provided for in the previous budget, is also a factor. We need a further €250 million to €300 million or so to pay for the extra expenditure committed, but we are confident that will happen in the last two months of the year. November is the month in which self-employed persons make their returns and corporation tax is finalised for most companies. We expect strong months in the time remaining. There are no signs of the decline that the Deputy suggested, but we are always watchful, which is especially the case in light of Brexit and various international events.

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