Tax receipts remained buoyant last month and came in slightly ahead of Department of Finance projections, according to figures published today.
More than €4.75 billion flowed into Exchequer coffers in January, slightly ahead of the €4.69 billion projected by the Department.
However, income tax receipts were slightly less than expected at €1.107 billion, when the Exchequer had expected to take in €1.27 billion.
The figures slowed little evidence of an easing the property market with stamp duty coming in almost 10 per cent ahead at €346 million while capital gains taxes were €26 million higher than expected at €186 million.
Another strong performer for the Government was corporation tax which contributed €207 million to the Exchequer, almost 25 per cent ahead of projections.
The figures also show that Government spending running slightly ahead of expectations at €3.65 billion.
VAT receipts brought in €2.38 billion.
Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton said the returns showed that the Government had lost control of spendind.
"The Budget provided for 12.7 per cent growth in current spending - this is 50 per cent higher than the growth in national income. Significantly, the Government even exceeded this high target in January," Mr Bruton said.
He said that spending growth in excess of national income is not sustainable in the long term. "You can't build spending on the temporary tax flows of a property boom."