High earners to gain most from USC cut

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

Mr Noonan surprised his Cabinet colleagues by outlining details of his intentions in relation to tax policies, two weeks out from budget day.

Mr Noonan said it would be difficult to avoid giving more USC relief to higher earners as they have endured the most burden by way of the emergency tax, one source has revealed.