DUBLIN (Reuters) – Irish tax revenues were 13% higher in January than the same pre-pandemic period two years ago after a busy Christmas boosted what is generally the strongest VAT-due month of the year, finance ministry data showed on Wednesday. January’s VAT returns, which are based on sales in November and December, were up 32% year-on-year and 15% on January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck Ireland. While the annual jump was distorted by a number of factors, including a temporary reduction in the standard VAT rate, the total surpassed 2020 levels despite a surge in COVID-19 ca…