Minister admits USC causing hardship

The Universal Social Charge is causing “significant hardship” for people, junior finance minister Simon Harris has admitted.

He also insisted TDs were not overpaid as they did a “temporary” job.

The minister of state at the Department of Finance denied widespread reports of a rift in the Coalition with Labour seeking to use improving economic conditions to reduce USC, while Taoiseach Enda Kenny looking to prioritise cutting the top rate of tax.