DUBLIN: Ireland was 0.1 percent ahead of its 2013 tax revenue goal at the end of October and government departments spent 1.5 percent less than budgeted, putting it on track to meet its annual deficit target, data showed on Monday.

Ireland's budget shortfall, still among the highest in Europe as a percentage of national output, fell to 10.5 billion euros after the first ten months of the year from 14.1 billion euros a year ago, the finance department said in a statement.