Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 6, line 36, to delete "1 July 2011" and substitute "2 July 2011".

These are minor amendments to sections 3 and 23 of the Bill to align the commencement dates applying to the overall provisions of each of these sections with the date given in the table accompanying each section. The main provisions contained in section 3 provide for a halving of the lower rate of employers' social insurance contributions from 7.8% to 3.9% with effect from 2 July 2011. Section 23 provides for a similar halving of the national training fund levy from 0.7% to 0.35% in cases in which the lower rate of employers' social insurance contributions applies. The provisions of sections 2 and 23, when combined, provide for an overall halving of the lower 8.5% rate of employers' PRSI to 4.25% where a worker's earnings do not exceed €356 in any week.

The date of 2 July 2011 has been chosen as the commencement date for the halving of the lower rate of employers' PRSI in order to align the start date with the start of a tax week. I commend the amendment to the House.

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