The better-than-expected tax take was offset again by government overspending. Department expenditure came in 1.2 percent above target versus 2.0 percent in September, chiefly due to the swollen health and social protection budgets.

Ireland's budget deficit fell to 14.1 billion euros ($18.1 billion) from 22.2 billion a year ago, mainly due to the state recapitalisations of lenders last year and the rescheduling of other bank-related payments earlier this year.