Government's USC plans to benefit wealthiest disproportionately

A PLAN by the Government to scrap the Universal Social Charge completely would disproportionately benefit those on higher wages. Individuals earning €20,000 will make a saving of just €393 per year while those on €200,000 would receive a tax break of a whopping €16,542.

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD accused the Government of squandering almost €4billion in fiscal space that could be used on vital services by planning tax breaks for the wealthiest in society.

Under the Government's plans, Taoiseach Enda Kenny would receive an extra €12,210 per-year after tax.

The Donegal TD said in government Sinn Féin would exempt lower-paid workers – those earning up to €19,572 – from the USC and completely scrap the Government's unfair Water and Property taxes.

“We would take 277,000 workers out of the USC net,” Pearse Doherty told An Phoblacht. 

“We would also scrap the regressive property and water taxes.”

Doherty said his party believes in fair taxation and investment in public services:

“Meanwhile, Fine Gael believes in regressive flat taxes that discriminate against low earners while giving tax break to high earners and delivering chaos in our public services,” he said.