Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In public comment, the Minister has stated that the tax bands are a barrier to job creation. Given the fact that most of the jobs being created in the economy are part-time, which is a different model of working, surely the changes in the bands should benefit those people with part-time jobs? The majority of taxpayers, some 60%, earn under €30,000 and would not benefit from any change to the top band. A consideration of changing the bands seems to be a consideration of continuing the inequity that the Government has fostered in recent budgets. Would it not be more sensible to target the benefit at those who would dispose of that income in the economy? Those on low incomes would benefit most.

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