Universal Social Charge
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-25
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Catherine Callaghan (FG), Carlow-Kilkenny

It is really hard to argue with that point of view. Above all, I know that the Government is dedicated to delivering on the commitments made in the programme for Government, which will work towards a fairer, more equal Ireland. One of the key components of the programme is a commitment to progressive changes to personal income tax, which I am glad the Minister has recognised will happen, and to ensure that, as we push forward and grow our economy, nobody is left behind.
In budget 2026, the Government lived up to those commitments. It is important that we note that. It raised the 2% USC tax band up to €28,700. This measure meant and means that a full-time worker on minimum wage will not be pushed into the higher 3% tax rate. That allows for a meaningful increase in take-home pay. Across the country and in my own constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, there is an appetite for similar measures to be considered in this year's upcoming budget. Is further indexation planned?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:54:51+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-25