Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

I understand from where the Minister is coming on this, but we hold the view that while PRSI is important, in some cases it acts as a deterrent to employment because it can represent a high cost for employers. In our two most recent alternative budgets we suggested that the Minister should consider reducing employers' PRSI because in some cases it is a deterrent to jobs. The Minister spoke about a social contribution from companies but the social contribution of many foreign direct investment companies is to give our people jobs. One can look at this both ways.

Like the Minister, we have received advice and evidence to suggest that perhaps a reduction or offset of PRSI might stimulate job creation. We are not stating we are convinced of this, but we think there may be an argument to be made. This is why the amendment suggests that the Department conducts a study and makes a decision. We want to check out what we have been told. There is always an agenda behind information that comes forward and the best way to find out about the information is to investigate it. This is why we tabled the amendment. I hold the view that if PRSI must be offset to create jobs, it would be worthwhile to do so. At the end of the day if there are no jobs there will be no PRSI in the first place coming from that "tax unit" - a term the Minister used yesterday which I do not like and which the Minister probably does not like himself. As it was proposed with good intentions and for good reasons, we should check it out. I accept officials at the Department of Finance are extremely busy. Even if the Minister does not accept it today, we will need to consider it because we need to investigate all these areas with a potential for job creation. Some businesses are sensitive to certain taxes and we are led to believe this could make a difference. We will pursue it when, hopefully, we are on the Government side of the House.

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