Malcolm Byrne
Question:200. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated total cost of reducing the 3% USC Rate to 2%. [53209/26]
View answerTuesday, 14 July 2026
Questions (200)
Written answers
Based on Revenue’s latest Ready Reckoner (post-Budget 2026), the estimated cost to the Exchequer of reducing the Universal Social Charge 3 per cent rate to 2 per cent is approximately €420 million on a first-year basis and €480 million on a full year basis. It should be noted that the costs are based on 2026 estimates from the Revenue tax forecasting model using latest actual data for the year 2023, adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment, and employment trends in the interim.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the post-Budget 2026 Ready Reckoner is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/ready-reckoner.pdf
The Ready Reckoner shows a wide range of detailed information, including the estimated cost or yield to the Exchequer, of increasing and reducing the USC rates and thresholds.