The government has confirmed it has pulled a u-turn on plans to get rid of the Universal Social Charge. Taxpayers had been told the levy would be phased out. The USC was brought in during the recession, as a revenue raising measure.

The former Finance Minister, Michael Noonan, announced in September 2016 that he wanted to phase USC out over five years. The charge brings in €4 billion in tax every year.

The new Finance Minister now says it's going to be merged with PRSI.

Paschal Donohoe has hit back at Sinn Fein who've had a go at him over it, telling the party it doesn't "have the track record to comment on the merits of economic policy options that are being considered by this government".