Mayo election candidate wants to see USC abolished

THE €14 billion Apple windfall has provided the government with a big opportunity in Budget 2025 to abolish the USC and help hard-pressed workers and families, according to Mayo general election candidate Councillor Patsy O’Brien.

The Robeen-based representative, who was first elected to Mayo County Council in 2004 and has been a councillor for 20 years, says the USC is another burden on people who are already feeling the strain.

He said: “I believe the USC should be abolished as soon as possible. It was only ever meant to be a temporary measure and it is a direct taxation measure that was brought in at a time of austerity.

“It has had a significant adverse impact on lots of people, particularly those who are struggling to pay their mortgages, their household bills and are under pressure due to the cost-of-living crisis.

“This measure could help people with their mortgages, their childcare, every single person would get something back, it would boost the purse strings of all sectors of society.”

Councillor O’Brien, who topped the poll in the Claremorris electoral area in the local election with over 2,700 first preference votes, announced his candidacy last month and he is receiving a very positive reaction on the canvass trail.

The Universal Social Charge replaced both the income levy and the health levy (health contribution) in 2011 with the aim of widening the tax base and anyone earning over €13,000 annually was required to pay.

The USC was worth €5.4 billion to the Exchequer in 2023, with a similar yield expected in 2024, and Councillor O’Brien says the Apple tax can be used to bridge the funding gap over the coming years.

“Eliminating it would help every sector of society rather than picking on housing or water, it would lift all boats and benefit everyone.

“The USC by name and in its own context is universal for everybody and the tax is put on every single euro that people earn.

“We have three taxes on ordinary people, there is PAYE, PRSI and the USC, and this is the worst tax of the lot because it is on every single thing.

“At least you have an allowance with the rest of them but you have no allowance with USC.

“And not only that but people have to pay the LPT (Local Property Tax) on top of it, which is another one so there are four taxes that are affecting ordinary people.

“The €14 billion Apple tax could be used for over two years to plug the gap left by the USC.

“It would give everyone a boost, including local businesses and communities as more people would have more disposable income.”