The CSO said it will consider next year publishing a new range of statistics measuring the cost of living for different income and family groups.

The cost of implementing the Government's tax plans could be €750 million, economic think-tank the ESRI said.

High and low income families have been hardest hit by budgets since 2008.

The share of tax in national income in Ireland remains well below that in countries such as Germany and Austria, according to new research by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

New research from the ESRI shows that the vast majority of Irish workers are better off in employment.

All but 6% of Irish people are better off working than they would be on the dole — but one in seven working parents with young children are worse off.

The ESRI has said that an income based property tax would be fairer than the current Household Charge and would raise the same amount of money for the government.

Households below a certain income should not be liable for the controversial property tax set to be introduced next year, a leading economic think-tank has recommended.

RESEARCH has given lie to the notion that most unemployed people are better off on the dole than taking up a job.

STANDARDISATION of tax relief on pensions at 33% could save the Exchequer €500 million annually, according to a report on pensions issued yesterday by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

OFFICIAL studies show some top earners pay little or no tax because of their extensive use of tax relief schemes.