Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 December 2012
92. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the estimated number of pensioners that will be affected by the increase in the universal social charge for persons aged 70 years of age and over earning €60,000 or more. [57619/12]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated number of income earners aged 70 years of age and over, estimated by reference to 2013 incomes, who will be affected by the budgetary increase in the universal social charge for persons aged 70 years of age and over and earning €60,000 or more is estimated at approximately 8,900. I am also advised by the Revenue Commissioners that while social welfare pensions can be separately identified from other sources of income in Revenue statistics, it is not possible to do so in respect of income from other pensions. Consequently, there is no complete or reliable basis available to Revenue on which an estimate of the number of pensioners that will be affected by the increase in the universal social charge rates could be compiled. The figure is an estimate from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for 2010 adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends in the interim. It is, therefore, provisional and likely to be revised.
