The Universal Social Charge (USC) will not be abolished in the next five years, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said.

Reducing income tax for the squeezed middle will be a key Fine Gael policy ahead of the next General Election, the Finance Minister has said.

Households with poor heating systems and families impacted by fuel poverty will escape carbon charge rises planned for this week’s budget.

Seasonal or year-round activities at your home could boost your bank balance and even help pay off the mortgage, says Kya deLongchamps.

It is mad that Ireland should still be running budget deficits at this stage of the economic cycle, writes Jim Power

We need to spend more money on public services and we need to reform in a serious way the manner in which they are being delivered, writes Jim Power.

The Finance Minister spoke at length on income taxes during today's Budget announcements.

“Strong” disagreements between ministers over which welfare benefits should get priority in tomorrow’s budget have delayed its finalisation, it can be revealed.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has confirmed he is no longer seeking to abolish the Universal Social Charge (USC), as Fine Gael had vowed to do in the 2016 general election.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has given his first signal about budgetary plans, promising that up to 2m workers will get money back in tax cuts.

The Independent Alliance are demanding more free votes within Government if Leo Varadkar is to secure their votes to become Taoiseach next Tuesday, write Daniel McConnell and Elaine Loughlin of the Irish Examiner.

Latest: Despite being behind in the leadership race, Simon Coveney said today he is not an "some kind of also-ran".

The Government has signalled its desire to spend more on key capital projects as the IMF in a new report said that “robust” economic growth may give the Coalition a bit more room to invest in the country’s infrastructure.

It’s very obviously that time of the year again when Government is in the process of making its final adjustments to its budget for the coming year.

The nature of economics and the approach of many economists have changed subtly over the past decade.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

It is no secret that Finance Minister Noonan has money to spend in Budget 2016. 

The majority of tax cuts being considered by Government as part of next Tuesday’s budget are “profoundly unfair” and would be of no benefit to the most vulnerable members of society, according to an independent think tank.

The upcoming budget offers the Government the opportunity to deliver a range of reforms that encourage entrepreneurship and ease the burden on hard-pressed workers.

Rising employment and a larger collection of taxes could help fund free GP care for adults under a proposal being considered by Health Minister Leo Varadkar.

The Government has been urged to increase taxes in the next budget instead of pressing on with much vaunted cuts.

The Government has been urged to increase taxes in the next budget instead of pressing on with much vaunted cuts.

The Taoiseach is expected to outline significant cuts to the Universal Social Charge in the next budget that will bring the marginal rate on middle income earners to below 50%.

Enda Kenny’s decision to cut USC has been seen as a bid to reclaim votes, a hero garda is being celebrated after risking his life to save three children, Paul O’Connell plans to see out his IRFU contract and David Beckham hits 40. These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com this morning.

Lucinda Creighton’s proposed new party will win 10 or more seats at the next general election, her husband, Senator Paul Bradford has predicted.

Some of the money raised from the Universal Social Charge should be used to boost people’s pension pay- outs, Tánaiste Joan Burton has said, in an attempt to try and make the tax less toxic to voters.

In October the Government ignored the advice from domestic and international agencies such as the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, by implementing a mildly stimulatory budget rather than the €2 billion adjustment that had been pencilled in for some time.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has promised more income tax cuts are on the way and the marginal rate for high earners will fall below 50% if the Government is re-elected.

By Mary Regan, Irish Examiner Political Editor

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the Irish people that he knows recent Budgets have been difficult, but were all "part of the plan" to bring the economy "back on track".

The Government looks set to announce new relief measures to cut water bills in tomorrow's Budget.

The Revenue Commissioners has no idea of how many people have availed of the cycle-to-work scheme since it was introduced over five years ago.

THE latest reel of recordings from the Anglo Irish Bank’s internal phone system is likely to stir up those familiar feelings of anger and disgust.

Donal O’Brien – CEO Aramark

From the elderly, sick and disabled, to children, students and the unemployed - few have escaped the clutches of austerity since the meltdown of the Irish economy.

Where will the budget axe fall? Tax hikes are off the table, but with the Government in need of cash, PRSI and the Universal Social Charge could be targeted, according to Irish Examiner Deputy Political Editor Mary Regan.

I refer to Stephen Rogers’ article on school principals seeking alternative trade union representation and an assertion therein by the TUI that it represents school principals and deputy principals through its structures.

Nearly 8% of those working in Ireland are part of the “working poor” and are at risk of poverty, according to a leading anti-poverty organisation.

The Government cannot legally reduce the salaries of bankers who were awarded contracts before it came to power, the Minister for Finance has insisted.

Now that the deadline for submitting your single farm payment application has passed, it’s an ideal time to double check that all is in order in relation to single farm payment entitlement purchases and sales.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has today called for the Irish electorate to vote against the EU fiscal treaty in the upcoming referendum.

More than €3.5bn was collected in taxes last month, the latest exchequer figures show.

Trade union Mandate has accused the Government of targeting workers on lower and middle incomes in the 2012 Budget.