Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand what the Minister is saying and that elsewhere in the budget there could be provision to ameliorate the incidents of greatest benefit on upper income holders through USC. However, those who earn over €200,000 will get a break of €902 due to this cut in USC. That €902 is an opportunity cost to the State when the State is finding it difficult to allow for a centenarian to find a bed in a hospital, to find a house for one of the 130,000 persons who are on housing waiting lists or to ensure that children with a disability going into preschool have an SNA. When one weighs up that €902 and the value the State could get in alleviating some of these difficulties, surely that €902 is a cost to the State that did not have to be borne. The richest 14% are getting back €190 million, which is a multiple of the €18 million extra that went into the health service or the €69 million extra that went into housing. The decisions are weighing heavily against those who are at the edge and who are very vulnerable at present but are benefiting in real terms those who are on wages of €150,000 or €200,000 a year.