Speaking on RTÉ's Questions and Answers this evening, Minister Cullen said there would be no reverse on the levy.
Minister Cullen said it was seen as the fairest option because it protected people's incomes, protected pensions and guaranteed a job.
He said that for that public servants were being asked to make an average 7% contribution to pension.
Minister Cullen admitted the levy did make things very tight for people, but he said it is progressive and that the more someone earns, the more they pay.
He said that if there is tweaking it will be really marginal.
Public service union votes for strike
The Public Service Executive Union has voted in favour of industrial action in protest at the Government's pension levy for public servants.
The PSEU, which has 10,500 members across all Government departments, voted by a margin of 71 to 29 in favour of industrial action. The turnout was over 75%.
The members have sanctioned industrial action involving up to two days strike action.
That may be supplemented if necessary by two further days of selective action.
The Civil Public and Service Union has already voted to stage a one-day stoppage this Thursday, which will affect all Government departments, including social welfare offices.
A number of other public service unions, including the teachers unions, are still balloting.
The Executive Council of ICTU will meet tomorrow to formulate a strategy in the wake of Saturday's protest march, when over 100,000 people voiced their opposition to the Government's handling of the economy.
