I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 to 88, inclusive, and 90 and 92 together.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a Post-Budget 2016 Ready Reckoner is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html.
In relation to the Deputy's Questions regarding the reduction or abolition of the current USC rates, this Ready Reckoner shows a wide range of detailed information, including the estimated cost or yield to the Exchequer of changes to the Universal Social Charge (USC) bands and rates. While the Ready Reckoner does not show all of the specific costings requested by the Deputy, others can be estimated on a pro-rata basis with those displayed in the Reckoner. For example, the full year cost of decreasing the 3% USC rate to 2% is estimated to be €148 million. Other decreases can be estimated on a straight line basis.
In regards to the Deputy's Question relating to the abolition of the USC surcharge for self-employed persons earning over €100,000 per year, the first and full year costs to the Exchequer are estimated to be €34 million and €112 million respectively.
In regards to the Deputy's question relating to the cost to the Exchequer of exempting income below €19,572 from the USC, these costs are estimated to be €63 million and €87 million for the first and full year respectively. For the purposes of these costs, it has been assumed that the current USC bands and rates will apply to taxpayers whose USC-liable income exceeds €19,572.
These figures are estimates from the Revenue tax forecasting model using latest actual data for the year 2013, adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are estimated by reference to 2016 incomes and are provisional and may be revised. Estimates for 2017 incomes will not be available until later this year.