Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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386.To ask the Minister for Finance the first and full-year costs of reducing the first rate of USC from 0.5 to 0%, reducing the second rate of USC from 2 to 0% and increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €25,760 to €45,000. [32981/24]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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387.To ask the Minister for Finance the first- and full-year costs in each of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 respectively of reducing the first rate of USC from 0.5% to 0%, reducing the second rate of USC from 2% to 1% and increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €25,760 to €27,880 in 2025, then reducing the second rate of USC from 1% to 0%, and increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €27,880 to €30,000 in 2026, then increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €30,000 to €35,000 in 2027, then increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €35,000 to €40,000 in 2027. [33074/24]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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388.To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated first and full-year costs in each of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 respectively, of reducing the first rate of USC from 0.5 to 0 %t, reducing the second rate of USC from 2 to 1 % and increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €25,760 to €27,880 in 2025, then reducing the second rate of USC from 1 to 0 % and increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €27,880 to €30,000 in 2026, then increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €30,000 to €35,000 in 2027, then increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €35,000 to €40,000 in 2028. [33083/24]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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389.To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated first and full-year costs of reducing the rates of USC for the years and bands outlined (details supplied). [33106/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 386, 387, 388 and 389 together.

In relation to question 32981/24, I am advised by Revenue that the estimated cost for the proposal outlined by the Deputy on a first and full year basis are €1.70bn and €1.95bn respectively.

In relation to questions 33074/24 and 33083/24, which are identical, I am advised by Revenue that estimated costs of the proposals outlined by the deputy are available in the table below. The changes below are cumulative and the rate changes made in the first proposal follow through to the end (e.g. change 4 will have the first and second USC rates at 0%).

In relation to question 33106/24, I am advised by Revenue that estimated costs of the proposals outlined by the deputy are available in the table below. The changes below are cumulative and the rate changes made in the first proposal follow through to the end (e.g. change 5 will have the first and second USC rates at 0%).

As a reduced rate of USC of 2% currently applies for those aged 70 years or older with income of €60,000 or less and for those who hold a full medical card with income of €60,000 or less, the estimated costings in both tables also include a decrease in the reduced rate of USC from 2% to 0%, for consistency.

I am further advised that Revenue cannot provide estimates of specific aspects of the proposals in later years due to the unknown nature of the future tax base and future economic behaviour.

It is important to be aware that estimates of tax policy changes for USC are provided on the basis of the current Budget year (2024) rather than the next Budget year (2025). The Budget year costings for 2025 are prepared for the party costings service and are used to feed into costings requested by the Department of Finance in advance of the Budget. The Revenue Pre-Budget Ready Reckoner (published end August) will also be on the basis of Budget year 2025.