Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Government is ignoring a decision of the Dáil.

The cost of living package that is being reported in media this morning and watched carefully by low-paid workers involves increased electricity credit, an extension of fuel allowance and the bringing forward of the working family payment by two months. Of course, groceries are up €800 a year, petrol is up €500 a year and electricity is up €800 a year. That is more than €2,000 before we get to the rent. Putting the Government proposals in that context, they not only fall short but very far short of what working people and ordinary families need.

I put it to the Minister of State, Deputy English, that bolder measures are needed, such as the scrapping of the universal social charge, USC, which was meant to be gone by now. If the Government is concerned about the cost that might have to the State, we would have no problem if it brought in a higher income service charge of 10% on incomes of more than €90,000 a year. What does the Minister of State have to say on the proposal to abolish the USC?

See this speech in context