The state's tax take has increased by nearly €1.5 billion in the last twelve months.

That's a year-on-year increase of nearly 5%, but is slightly below Department of Finance forecasts.

The latest exchequer figures say the government had a surplus of €1.8 billion at the end of August.

That compares to a deficit of €329 million in the same period last year.

Most of the improvement was due to the sale of 28% of the state's holding in AIB.