There is outrage this morning as Fine Gael have revealed that low income workers will have their income tax increased under new reforms to the tax system.
The party say the introduction of the increased taxes will be beneficial to those on low income wages as they will experience better benefit packages in the long term as a result of the tax hike.
The party also say they are fully committed to abolishing the much hated Universal Social Charge over the next five years, claiming they will introduce a new levy on incomes over €100,000 – to balance out the effects of scrapping the charge. Meanwhile the party have claimed they will increase dole benefits if they are re-elected.
A spokeswoman for they party explained: “We will keep the tax system broad by reducing the entry point into PRSI to €13,000 with a €10 weekly PRSI credit. “For example, someone on €13,500 annually now currently pays €165 a year USC.
“Under Fine Gael’s changes, someone on €13,500 would pay €20 a year PRSI and would get the additional benefits for workers like dental treatment, paternity leave, higher short term unemployment benefits and increase in the Contributory State Pension.”