The Government announced a package of measures last night including a 200 euro energy credit, a 20% cut to public transport fares and an extra 125 euro payment for those in receipt of fuel allowance.
But critics say the help is not being properly targeted at those who need it most.
Minister Pascal Donohue says that the abolition of, or a cut to the USC , would not be a wise move:
"To remove the Universal Social Charge, particularly since I became Minister for Finance, but what happened with Brexit and now where we are with COVID isn't a feasible prospect. What we can do, is we can reduce the amount of income and to make fair rates of USC and higher rates of personal tax but at this point in time to be indicating that we can abolish Universal Social Charge. We're where we are in particular COVID, is not a claim I believe you can make let alone implement."
