Exchequer figures for the end of 2001 - published this evening by the Department of Finance - show the Government had a surplus of €650 million - €316 million higher than had been predicted in the Budget last month.
Today's figures confirm that this year's surplus was 80% lower than at the end of 2000.
The surplus was due to various Government Departments not spending money during December, and not because of extra tax revenue.
Overall tax revenue at the end of the year was up just 3.2% compared to 2000. This was significantly lower than the 12.5% which had been hoped for.
The figures also show that day-to-day Government Spending rose by 22% during 2001, and that spending on capital projects rose by 26.5%. The savings on spending in December related to the Departments of Justice, Defence, Enterprise and Education.
€87 million was also saved on serving the National Debt.
Although there had been anecdotal evidence of additional spending by members of the public - mattress money - ahead of the euro's introduction, the figures show there was no such revenue in December. However, it is hoped that this mattress money may appear in future months.
