New figures show the Government's taken in nearly half a billion euro more than expected in taxes in the first four months of the year.

Exchequer returns published this evening shows an extra €475 million collected compared to budget day predictions.

Most of the extra money is from higher than expected corporation tax and excise duty driven by new car sales and sales of tobacco products.

Spending by the Department of Health had over-run by 78 million euro, but spending by all other Departments was at or below budget.