The Minister for Finance has said that, in answer to a Dáil question, that the top 10,000 income tax earners pay an effective rate of 29% income tax.

Michael Noonan said that he was advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the top 10,000 earners earn €5.959 billion between them.

The amount of income tax collected is €1.715 billion and that this, on average means an effective tax rate of 29%.

Michael Noonan noted that the figures for tax and effective tax rate only relates to income tax and do not take account of additional liability to PRSI and Universal Social Charge.

He was answering a Dáil question from Richard Boyd Barrett, TD of People before Profit.