The Tánaiste has an extra €280m to be paid by Ireland to the EU budget will not impact services here.

It has emerged that updated figures from the CSO on GDP growth last year means we will likely have to increase our contributions to Brussels next year.

The CSO reported the economy here grew by a staggering 26.3% last year which has been described by one commentator as “leprechaun economics”.

Frances Fitzgerald says commitments to spending increases stand, regardless of any demands from the EU.

“The summer economic statement sets the fiscal space, the available resources, at about €1bn for the 2017 Budget,” she said.

“That remains the same as it is fixed each spring. All EU member states do this, so that you can begin planning the Budget without having to wait for the most up-to-date figures.

“So in terms of the planning for services, it has not impacted.”