The Jobs Minister has backed away from a claim by a Cabinet colleague that income tax hikes may have to be considered because people are not paying the household charge.

At the Magill summer school yesterday the Environment Minister Phil Hogan said the alternative to the charge was to put more taxes on work and working people.

But Richard Bruton says the commitment in the Programme for Government not to increase income tax is an “important factor”.

He has tried to explain the comments by Minister Hogan.

Mr. Bruton would not be drawn on what the government is considering but he did acknowledge the commitment not to increase taxes on work.