Ireland’s Exchequer surplus narrowed dramatically at the start of the year, with the balance for January 2026 coming in at just €0.1 billion, down from €7.1 billion recorded in December 2025.
The latest figures, updated on 5 February 2026, highlight a sharp month‑on‑month adjustment in the public finances. While December’s €7.1 billion surplus reflected the year‑end fiscal position, the January 2026 reading of €0.1 billion points to a much slimmer buffer in the Exchequer accounts as the new year began.
The data will be closely watched by market participants tracking Ireland’s fiscal trajectory, as the shift from December’s strong surplus to a near‑flat position in January may signal a normalization after year‑end effects or changing revenue and spending patterns at the outset of 2026.
