A €3.6 billion surplus was recorded at the end of January, compared with a €2.3 billion surplus at the same point last year.

This excludes an €11 billion boost from the Apple tax funds

Mayor John Moran suggested that the money should be split with €3.5 billion going to Cork, €2 billion to Waterford, €1 billion to Galway, and €2 billion to Limerick.

Two double payments of child benefit, possibly before the end of the year, are on the cards for Budget 2025.

The country has got a windfall of €14.1 billion as a result of an EU court ruling that Apple was given undue tax benefits.

The Central Bank has warned that around 52,000 new homes could be needed each year until 2050 to address shortages.