The Irish public are split almost exactly down the middle on whether taxes should be raised to finance ongoing cost of living measures, a survey by Taxback has found. 

The Government recently announced a €1.3billion cost-of-living package but 51% said they would not support higher taxes to finance the measures, against 49% who said they would. 

Just over a third, 34%, said they would be willing to pay higher taxes to pay for the measures but could not afford to do so at this point in time.

In addition, two thirds, 66%, agreed that the Government had overlooked middle earners when drawing up the details of the package.  

The Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath. Image Tom Douglas/Newstalk

“Inflation has squeezed almost every household in the country, low-income families are certainly struggling, but so too are many of those who cross the threshold of middle-income earners and questions have been raised as to whether this cohort needs greater financial assistance,” Taxback Director Marian Ryan said. 

“When confronted with this discontentment, the Taoiseach flagged tax cuts, renters’ credits, the staggered return to normal excise rates on fuel and, an increase to the minimum wage however, not everyone will have benefited from these measures.”

The survey also found a significant minority, 20%, have little or no knowledge of the package or what it means for them or others.

Main image: Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath.