Noonan hints at USC cut in October but rules out abolition of charge

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan has signalled another cut in the Universal Social Charge in the next Budget.

Michael Noonan says another 90,000 people will be taken out of the tax net in October's measures.

He says the charge cannot be abolished as it would be too hard to find other sources for €4bn in revenue.

He has told the Fine Gael national conference that there will be more tax cuts as long as the Government can afford them:

Mr Noonan said: "Our focus has been on low-paid people and middle-income people and we'll continue to do that.

"We'll mirror that in the next Budget, and if we're fortunate enough to be re-elected, we're committed to following the same type of tax reform in 2017.

"And then we'll see for subsequent years what way we should adjust it."