Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 8, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “Report on abolition and replacement of universal social charge

3.(1) The Minister shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, produce a report on abolishing the universal social charge for all those who earn less than €70,000 per year.

(2) The Minister shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, produce a report on abolishing the universal social charge for all employees in the State.”.

We made it clear in our budget submissions that we felt the USC should be abolished, which is along the same lines of what the Taoiseach said a number of years ago when entering office. We are now into a second Government, as such, and the USC is still very much at the forefront. While I realise that high earners would benefit from abolishing the USC, it would also help many lower earners who are struggling. Many of them are young people who are working in the hotel sector, shops, cafes and so forth. They are finding it difficult to survive when so much is being taken out of their wage packets at the end of the week. We ask that the Minister consider abolishing the USC for all those earning less than €70,000 and to report within three months of the legislation’s enactment on abolishing the charge for all employees.