729. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated cost in 2027 if the 2% USC rate was reduced to 1.25%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56073/26]

Based on Revenue’s latest Ready Reckoner (post-Budget 2026), the estimated cost to the Exchequer of reducing the Universal Social Charge 2 per cent rate to 1.25 per cent is approximately €295 million on a first-year basis and €340 million on a full year basis. It should be noted that the costs are based on 2026 estimates from the Revenue tax forecasting model using latest actual data for the year 2023, adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment, and employment trends in the interim.

Also, as the Deputy will be aware, a reduced rate of USC of 2 per cent currently applies for those aged 70 years or older with income of €60,000 or less, and for those who hold a full medical card with income of €60,000 or less, these estimated first and full year costings assume that this reduced rate is also reduced to 1.25 per cent, in line with the second USC rate.

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the post-Budget 2026 Ready Reckoner is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at:

www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/ready-reckoner.pdf.

The Ready Reckoner shows a wide range of detailed information, including the estimated cost or yield to the Exchequer, of increasing and reducing the USC rates and thresholds.