The Finance Minister's denying that low earners are facing a huge increase in their rate of Universal Social Charge from next January.
It had been reported that 360 thousand people who currently pay a USC rate of 4% will have to pay 7% next year.
Michael Noonan says that when the levy was implemented by Fianna Fail, the lower rate was set to expire in January 2015 but that does not mean it can't be extended in the same way at the 9% VAT rate was last year.
And he says that while budget discussions are not yet underway, he wants to do all that he can to help those on low pay.
