Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is challenging me on tax. I do not handle the social welfare budget. As people earn more, they pay more in tax. When one starts to unwind it and give relief, those that earn more will be advantaged when it comes to reducing the tax imposition, because they pay more tax. To avoid what the Deputy is challenging me with, I put a cap at €70,000. The maximum is €14 per week at €70,000, but the person on €120,000, €200,000 or €300,000 only gains €14 per week as well. For the first time we are targeting the low and middle incomes. The benefits to the low paid were delivered principally through universal social charge reductions and the benefits to the middle income earners were a combination of USC and, principally, income tax.

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