Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Finance the principal features of the Exchequer figures for January-February 2006; the way in which revenue and spending compare with budget 2006 projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10110/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the monthly Exchequer returns are available on my Department's website as are my Department's receipts, expenditure and debt service profiles for 2006. The results for the first two months of 2006 confirm that the public finances remain sound. There was an Exchequer surplus of €2.415 billion at the end of February. Tax receipts to the end of February, at €7.310 billion, were up 19.4% on the same period last year and were €77 million or 1.1% ahead of profile. The main excesses over profile were on capital taxes, €131 million, corporation tax, €91 million, and stamp duty, €40 million, while VAT, income tax and excise were €163 million, €30 million and €12 million below profile, respectively.

Overall Exchequer issues for net voted spending were €5.385 billion at the end of February compared to €5.161 billion for the same period last year, an increase of €224 million or 4.3%. This was €147 million or 2.7% below profile due to lower than expected issues for current spending. Debt service is in line with expectations.