Sep 2015
28
After previous successful events, Revenue is participating in another free one-stop-shop event for SMEs, “Taking Care of Business”. If you own or manage a small business, or are thinking of starting your own business, you should visit www.takingcareofbusiness.ie to register as places are limited.
This is an initiative organized by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation.
The events have been designed to help small and start-up businesses understand and benefit from the services provided by a range of State Bodies.
Attendees will:
• Meet with representatives from a number of State Offices & Agencies
• Get information & advice on running your business
• Find out ways to save your business money
• Receive support to help you in your business
This half-day event will take place on Thursday, 8th October in the Westcourt Hotel, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
To find out more and to register, please visit www.takingcareofbusiness.ie
Sep 2015
28
It has been revealed today that the State will commence paying out two weeks’ worth of paternity benefit from June next year. The measure is a central plank of the Coalition's childcare strategy due to be announced as part of next month's Budget.
There will also be a special focus on reducing the cost of pre-school and after-school care services, especially for families who have children with special needs. The childcare package will be treated in a similar fashion in the Budget to the reform of the Universal Social Charge (USC).
Meanwhile, Children's Minister James Reilly said reducing the cost of pre-school and crèche facilities for families, especially those with children with special needs, will also be kicked started in 2016. However, he did not specify the form in which benefits will be paid to families.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Dr Reilly said the package would aim to end "poor quality childcare" that can have a "detrimental effect on children".
Specific measures aimed at reducing the burden on parents will be brought in incrementally over the life-span of the next Government. But sources say there are considerable negotiations still required before an overall package is agreed. However, agreement has been reached on the issue of paternity benefit.
Sep 2015
9
The announcement of Budget 2016 is just around the corner, on Tuesday the 13th Of October. So what can us PAYE workers expect?
Well, according to Mr Noonan we will have in the region of €1.5 billion extra to spend which will make for the first positive Irish Budget in 8 years.
The extra €1.5 billion is to be split equally between spending increases and tax cuts.
Changes to the PRSI system and reduction in the Universal Social Charge are apparently afoot. This should put at ease the minds of those low-paid workers who, with the increase in minimum wage would have actually ended up taking home less pay due to the increase in USC and PRSI.
There may also be cuts to USC and PRSI for those with higher earnings. The Government having previously promised to cut the 7% rate of USC to reduce the marginal tax rate on all those earning less than €70,000 a year to below 50%.
Vague promises on keeping the burden of taxation low and ending the unfair treatment of the small businesses and self-employed as well as improvements to Child Benefits are floating around but whether or not the Government keeps those promises remains to be seen.
