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

We are told there is near full employment in the country but are the people who are employed - young people in particular - being treated properly? I have grave doubts about that. I also have serious concerns about putting an extra burden on the employer. The employer cannot take the hit every time we stand up here in the Chamber. Some feel the employer should take every hit and that they should go home with zero or minus amount in their pocket. If anybody is seen to make any little bit of a profit, some parties completely and utterly point their fingers at them instead of praising and helping them along. They might then end up employing a lot more people and creating more employment in our country.

We have to look at the universal social charge, USC. This is where we need to take the pressure off the employer and look at what the Government can deliver. This was a payment that was imposed on the people of this country. It was promised it would not be left there and it is now playing a leading role in bringing in huge tax takes for the Government. The Government is continuously glorifying its massive tax take. If that is the case, let us step off the gas regarding the employer and expecting them to take up the bill if extra money is to be paid to the young people. Maybe it is time for the Government to drop the USC charge for low earners or anyone on the minimum wage and at least that would make up the difference for those people.

These young people are trying to live and buy a car. They cannot buy a home. They have no hope of getting a mortgage. Council houses cannot be got. The cost of living is out of control. Many of the parties in here favour the carbon tax which is an extra burden, especially on younger people in rural areas due to the cost of fuel. This whole situation is crippling people. We are told we are living in a great country with massive wealth and massive tax takes but many people are suffering and the Minister of State is standing idly by while that goes on.

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