Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the threshold for qualification to pay the universal social charge was set at €4,004.00 per annum; and if he will raise this figure considerably in budget 2012. [38088/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Universal Social Charge is designed to apply on a wide base with no special exemptions. However, an exemption threshold at €4,004 per annum is included for administrative reasons. It is a long-standing practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.