The Institute of Taxation has called on the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, to rethink last year's changes to employers' PRSI, writes Jane Suiter. Institute president Mr John Bradley told Mr McCreevy last night that the decision to abolish the ceiling last year had damaged competitiveness. At the launch of the institute's 2001 publishing programme he called on the Minister to restore the employer contribution ceiling that was abolished in last year's budget or, at least, to substantially reduce the employer contribution rate.

Employers' organisation IBEC has also been growing increasingly vocal in calling for changes to be made in the upcoming Budget. But the Minister insisted last night he would not be reversing the abolition of the ceiling.