Taxes accounted for 70% of Government revenue in Q1 2026, figures show

The government had a surplus of €800 million in the first three months of 2026, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The total Government revenue stood at €33.1 billion in Quarter 1 in 2026, leading to the surplus. This is an increase of 5.7% since Q1 2025, with total revenue being €1.8 billion more.

Government expenditure increased to €32.4 billion in Q1 2026, an increase of €1.5 billion from Q1 2025. While Government debt was €215.4 billion at the end of Q1 2026, or 37% of GDP.

The CSO says that taxes accounted for 70% of all revenue, with overall taxes increasing by €1.3 billion.

Anousheh Alamir, Statistician in the Government Accounts Compilation & Outputs Division, said: “Today’s results for Q1 2026 show that total government revenue stood at €33.1 billion, which was €1.8 billion higher than in Q1 2025. This was driven primarily by an increase in taxes of €1.3 billion and social contributions of €0.5 billion.

“Total government expenditure also rose to €32.4 billion in Q1 2026, which was €1.5 billion higher than Q1 2025. This was across a range of items, with increases in social benefits, pay, use of goods and services, capital investment, and capital transfers. This resulted in a government surplus of €0.8 billion in Q1 2026."