It's been confirmed that high earners will get a tax cut in the Budget next week.
Enda Kenny's confirmed that the highest tax rate of 52 per cent will be lowered when the Budget's announced in seven days' time.
He says the lower tax rate will help to create another 15,000 jobs in the next four years - separate to the 100,000 jobs the government hopes to create during its five years i noffice.
But the Taoiseach wouldn't say whether the cut would come from the Universal Social Charge, PRSI or income tax:
"I'm not going to give you the details, because it hasn't been signed off yet by government," the Taoiseach said to reporters this afternoon.
"But clearly the intention is to present, in the Budget next week, a reduction of that 52 per cent.
"It may well be that yo uhave to look at all the factors that make up that 52 per cent - [Universal Social Charge], income tax and PRSI."
The top rate applies to all income earned above €32,600 - and includes a 41 per cent rate of PAYE income tax, a 4 per cent rate of PRSI, and a 7 per cent rate of the Universal Social Charge.
It's thought that Labour is pushing for a cut to the Universal Social Charge, as this would also have benefits for lower earners and some social welfare recipients who pay the USC on their income.
Over the weekend it was reported that Fine Gael is divided internally on whether to pursue an outright cut in the top tax rate, or whether to instead raise the threshold at which the higher rate of income tax is applied.
