538. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated amount it would cost if the 8.6% PRSI rate for persons earning less then €386 weekly was reduced to 8.2%. [17451/19]

It is estimated that a reduction of 0.4% in the lower employer PRSI rate would cost €16.5 million in a full year and affect approximately 794,800 employments.

These estimates are based on PRSI Class A contributions.  They use the latest available data and reflect macro-economic indicators for 2019.

It should be noted that these estimates do not take into account any possible changes in employer behaviour arising from changing rates of contribution.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.