NTMA to raise €20bn pushing national debt up to €95bn

THE country’s National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) will raise €20 billion this year pushing the national debt up to about €95bn from €75.2bn at the end of 2009.

That figure stood at just €50bn at the end of 2008 and reflects the huge down turning in the economy that has deprived the State of billions in lost tax revenues.

This year’s figure is down substantially from the €35.4bn raised in 2009, of which €5bn was pre-funding for this year.