Fine Gael will support growing numbers of self-employed – Collins

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Áine Collins said today (Wednesday) the growing numbers of self-employed people is encouraging and Fine Gael is committed to supporting further growth by standing up for the self-employed and small businesses. 

“The latest CSO figures show that the numbers of self-employed people are up by 3.7% this year or 11,800. This cohort is now growing quicker than the general employment growth of 3%.

“Fine Gael is the party of the self-employed and small business and we are determined to support these sectors as they are a key part of our plan to replace all the jobs lost by 2018.

“Recently Fine Gael surveyed self-employed and small business people across the country. One of the major findings was that tax equalisation between the self-employed and PAYE workers is an anomaly and Fine Gael in Government will address this over a number of budgets, beginning next October.

“The other major issue to arise in our discussions with businesses was the need for continued reductions in the general tax burden. Fine Gael has a long term plan to continue to reduce taxes on work, to give a little back so that everyone can benefit from the economic recovery. We are committed to putting a little more money into people’s pockets, reward work, improve competitiveness and create jobs.

“125,000 jobs have been added to the economy since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs in February 2012. The recovery is taking hold and accelerating, but it is still fragile. Fine Gael is determined to secure the recovery and not let political instability and reckless opposition policies put the future at risk.”