The end-June Exchequer returns showed that the cumulative target for tax revenue in the first half of the year has been achieved (over by 0.7% or €168 million). In year-on-year the terms tax revenue performance has been solid, with receipts up 5.4% or €1,276 million. This provides a level of confidence that the end 2018 tax revenue target of €54,175 million will be achieved.
In general government terms, the Summer Economic Statement published last month, showed that a general government deficit of 0.2% of GDP is forecast for this year, reducing to 0.1 % of GDP in 2019. These forecasts remain unchanged from the Budget 2018 fiscal forecast.
Regarding adjustments required for 2019, the Government will not adopt taxation or spending measures that would result is a deficit greater than 0.1% of GDP.