Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2014
155. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing the entry point at which a person is liable for the universal social charge from €10,036 to €11,000, €12,000, €13,000, €14,000, €15,000 and €16,000. [37809/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the cost to the Exchequer of decreasing each of the rates of the universal social charge by 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1%, respectively. [37908/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of continuing the exemption from the top rate of the universal social charge for those on medical cards where the medical card holders in question have aggregate income which does not exceed €60,000 per annum. [37909/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the cost or yield to the Exchequer of equalising the treatment of public sector and private sector pensions in terms of the determination of liability for the universal social charge. [37912/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155, 161, 162 and 164 together.
In relation to the questions regarding the cost of various changes to prevailing USC rates, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Budget 2015 Ready Reckoner, available on the Commissioners' website at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html, shows a number of indicative changes to Universal Social Charge (USC) rates and thresholds. While the Ready Reckoner does not show all of the specific costings requested by the Deputy, other changes can be estimated broadly on a pro-rata basis with those displayed in the Reckoner.
In relation to the question regarding the exemption from the 7% rate of USC for medical card holders with an aggregate income below €60,000, the Revenue Commissioners have informed me that they tentatively estimate, by reference to 2015 incomes, that the full year cost of retaining the exemption is €115m.
As regards the question concerning the USC treatment of pensions, I would inform the Deputy that public and private sector occupational pensions are treated the same for USC purposes. However, payments made by the Department of Social Protection, including pensions, are exempt from USC.
