The Department of Finance says tax revenues last month were up 3% on a year ago.
But Exchequer figures published this evening also show the Department of Social Protection continues to increase its spending.
Meanwhile the Finance Minister says 2013 will be the year that the Irish economy turns.
The comments from Michael Noonan come as the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) warns the Troika that failure to agree a deal on Irish bank debt will stifle economic recovery.
Minister Noonan said today the Exchequer figures would show that taxes are coming in at a higher rate than expected.
'Deficits down, debt becoming sustainable'
David Begg of ICTU has said that banking crisis has cost every Irish person almost €9,000 - while the EU average is at €191 per person.
But Michael Noonan said he is confident that 2013 will be a crucial turning point for the Irish economy.
"Deficits are going down, debt is becoming sustainable, and confidence is building up - so I think that there was a good end to the year coming into Christmas, there was a good start to the year in January" he said.
"I think while everything won't be sailing along in perfection in 2013, I think we'll look back on it as the year in which the economy turned and I look forward to very strong areas in 2014/2015" he added.