Kilkenny councillor calls for abolition of unpopular Universal Social Charge

Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick has called on the Government to abolish the Universal Social Charge (USC) in the upcoming budget.

The North Kilkenny councillor has said that the USC was initially introduced as a temporary measure to stabilise the country’s finances, and given the current strength of the government’s financial position, it is now time to eliminate this burden on taxpayers.

While contending that the government’s fiscal management has resulted in an improvement in the nation’s economic standing, the Castlecomer-based councillor says that the ‘time has come for the government to alleviate the financial burden on individuals and families' by repealing the unpopular Universal Social Charge.

“The Universal Social Charge, introduced as part of austerity measures during challenging economic times, was designed to generate revenue quickly to address the country’s financial difficulties,” he said.

“However, as the economy has recovered and government finances have become stronger, the continued imposition of the USC has become increasingly unjustifiable.”

DISPOSABLE INCOME

Cllr Fitzpatrick added that the abolition of the USC could have on taxpayers increasing their disposable income.