The annual Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s flagship publication on taxes and wages shows the progressive nature of the Irish tax system, and may highlight the difficulties any government could face if it sanctioned radical cuts to the Universal Social Charge.

Fianna Fáil is now confident of securing further cuts to the universal social charge (USC) and an extension to the Mortgage Interest Relief scheme in next month’s budget.

The Government still plans to merge the USC with PRSI and alter tax levels for low-and middle-income earners despite Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin warning there is not enough money to do both and that it breaches the minority government deal.

The Irish exchequer raises large amounts of tax from income and USC but personal tax cuts may mean few windfalls, figures from the Irish Tax Institute show.

Fine Gael has been accused of 'the biggest u-turn' in years over its plans for the Universal Social Charge.

Abolishing the universal social charge (USC) would be more “fiscally irresponsible” than getting rid of water charges, according to the leader of Fianna Fáil.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said his Government will not back down on tax cuts next year, despite the threat to the economy from Brexit, the US presidential election, and EU divisions.

The majority of workers will be better off by between €200 and €350 a year after Finance Minister Michael Noonan confirmed 0.5% cuts to the lowest three universal social charge rates, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner.

It is reported this morning that additional cuts to the USC will benefit an extra 1.7 million earners.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said it will be hard to avoid higher income earners benefiting more from USC cuts than lower income earners.

Fine Gael’s promise to scrap the hated Universal Social Charge (USC) is “not achievable” within the next five years, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has claimed.

Fianna Fáil says it will consider its support for Fine Gael "one budget at a time".

Finance Minister MIchael Noonan has said the decision to reduce the Universal Social Charge (USC) is a political one, despite mounting calls for the tax to be retained, writes Daniel McConnell Political Editor.

Cuts to the Universal Social Charge in next month's budget won't be as dramatic as promised in the general election.

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

Sinn Féin are insisting an internal memo for Michael Noonan shows it is unfair and unaffordable to abolish the Universal Social Charge.

The Government has said a briefing paper which says scrapping USC could add 10% to income tax bills is not relevant.

The Government is being warned a reduction in the Universal Service Charge (USC) would leave less room to go ahead with promised tax cuts.

Making a start in phasing out the Universal Social Charge — a key commitment in the Programme of Government — would cost the exchequer hundreds of millions of euro in lost revenue next year and cost as much as €1.86bn over four years.

The European Commission has criticised plans to abolish the Universal Social Charge, claiming that it could jeopardise Ireland's ability to deal with another financial crisis.

Plans to abolish the universal social charge will have to be delayed or abandoned to fund changes to Irish Water, it has emerged.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have finally opened talks on their differences relating to water charges as well as the universal social charge and are expected to formally exchange papers on the two areas today.

The Tánaiste has criticised Sinn Féin's tax policy, saying they were one of the biggest opponents of the USC when it was introduced.

Business group Ibec has weighed into the hot election debate on the universal social charge — saying that “moves to abolish the USC are a step in the wrong direction.”

Mary Lou McDonald has said that Enda Kenny would stand to gain significantly from scrapping the USC charges.

The Fine Gael-Labour coalition will "not have a cent available" to invest in services and will be forced to impose up to €2bn more front-line cuts if it pushes ahead with plans to remove the universal social charge during the next government.

Labour have promised to reduce taxes for workers on €25,000 by as much as a third if returned to power as part of a €3bn tax reform package.

IBEC claims abolishing the USC will damage the economy and leave Ireland open to future economic shocks.

The Agriculture Minister has said the Universal Social Charge is an "unfair tax" that needs to be abolished.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has promised to deliver 10,000 more Gardaí, nurses, doctors and teachers by 2021, in his key-note address at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis.

The International Monetary Fund has warned that Ireland must maintain fiscal discipline.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has reiterated his promise to phase out the controversial Universal Social Charge, despite differing comments from Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

The jobs minister has hinted that a new levy may be introduced on higher earners to offset any benefit they might get from the scrapping of Universal Social Charge.