Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 110: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the December 2009 Exchequer returns. [5309/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

At end-2009 the Exchequer deficit was €24.6 billion, some €619 million better than was expected in Budget 2010. The improvement in the 2009 position was largely due to a better than anticipated performance in tax revenue in the month of December and savings on debt servicing expenditure.

I believe that the 2009 Exchequer Returns demonstrate that the actions taken by Government in managing the public finances are working. The small improvement in the actual deficit for 2009 over that anticipated in the Budget means that we face 2010 with a greater sense of confidence.

The Exchequer Returns for end-January 2010 were published yesterday on my Department's website. The Exchequer deficit was €780 million at end-January compared to €747 million for the same period last year. In overall terms these Returns are in line with expectations.