WITH THREE DAYS to go until the Budget is announced, the Sunday newspapers suggest that not all of the €3.5 billion in measures to be introduced have yet been agreed upon – with the cabinet still split on the inclusion of particular items.

One of the biggest disputes between the parties relates to the prospect of a higher level of Universal Social Charge for people earning over €100,000 a year, backed by Labour but opposed by Fine Gael – who had said to be insisting on cuts to welfare rates as a result.

Today’s Sunday Times reports that Labour’s demand has now been settled with a compromise between the parties: the introduction of a so-called ‘mansion tax’, where homes worth over €1 million will be hit proportionally harder by the new property tax than other homes.

The Budget needs to raise €1.25 billion in new taxes, and the property tax is one of those ways – but which would you rather see: an increased social contribution from people on higher salaries, or a higher rate of property tax on more valuable homes?

Previously: Would you favour an increase in the USC for those earning over €100k?

Plus: What motorists should expect in Budget 2013