Fine Gael – Labour New Program for Government

Calendar March 7, 2011 | Posted by Money Guide

After Labour party members voted overwhelmingly to enter into a coalition government with Fine Gael at the weekend – we look briefly at how the joint draft programme for government will impact on Irish people’s pockets

Property and water charges are set to be fast-tracked  – but no mention of amounts or dates yet.

Social welfare payments will be untouched .

Income Tax -  rates of income tax, together with bands and credits, are to be unchanged.

Universal Social Charge – to be reviewed

Minimum Wage - The €1 cut in the minimum wage is being reversed

PRSI -  jobs which pay a maximum of €356 a week will have the lower rate of PRSI of 8.5 per cent reduced by 50 per cent until the end of 2013.

VAT on services will fall from 13.5 per cent to 12 per cent until the end of 2013

Travel Tax is to be scrapped.

Universal Health Insurance is hoped to  be in place by the end of the new government’s term in 2016.  The privatisation of the VHI is being scrapped aUnder this “universal primary care” system, fees for GP care will be removed.

Property tax reliefs will be reduced, capped or abolished.

 

Category Categories: Fine Gael, Income Tax, Labour, Minimum Wage, Property Tax, Universal Social Charge, USC, VAT, Water Charges, Welfare Benefits

2 Comments

  1. J B says:
    March 14, 2011 at 11:26

    “Universal Social Charge – to be reviewed”
    This is such a cop-out it’s practically funny. Taxation on the poor to middle earning categories is currently wiping out the economy.
    People earning in excess of 200k per year actually get a DECREASE in their commitments to taxes. WHY ARE THE MIDDLE AND LOWER CLASSES PAYING FOR THE MISTAKES OF THE WEALTHY?!?

  2. J B says:
    March 14, 2011 at 11:29

    “Property and water charges are set to be fast-tracked – but no mention of amounts or dates yet.”

    I say this now alright. You send me a bleeding charge for taxes on the water (said water currently destroying my appliances with excessive limescale deposits), and charge me AGAIN for property tax after your exorbitant tax duties, and I’ll show you where you can shove it boys.

    NO MEANS NO. And that includes the rape of the Irish working classes.