WASHINGTON —
The International Monetary Fund disbursed Ireland's last aid tranche on Friday, as the country became the first eurozone member to successfully exit its international bailout.
Ireland on Friday received $890 million from the IMF, one of a trio of lenders that oversaw Dublin's 85 billion euro [$117 billion] bailout, needed after its biggest banks collapsed in 2010.
Ireland has cut spending and raised taxes to rebalance the economy since seeking emergency help, meeting every major target and enduring little public unrest.
It has also managed to fund itself into 2015 thanks to debt issuance over the last 18 months.
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde praised Dublin's “steadfast policy implementation,” but said the economy still faces challenges, including unemployment, heavy public sector debt and the sustainability of public debt.
“Continued concerted policy implementation is therefore necessary for Ireland to recover fully from the crisis,” she said in a statement.
Ireland on Friday received $890 million from the IMF, one of a trio of lenders that oversaw Dublin's 85 billion euro [$117 billion] bailout, needed after its biggest banks collapsed in 2010.
Ireland has cut spending and raised taxes to rebalance the economy since seeking emergency help, meeting every major target and enduring little public unrest.
It has also managed to fund itself into 2015 thanks to debt issuance over the last 18 months.
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde praised Dublin's “steadfast policy implementation,” but said the economy still faces challenges, including unemployment, heavy public sector debt and the sustainability of public debt.
“Continued concerted policy implementation is therefore necessary for Ireland to recover fully from the crisis,” she said in a statement.
