26th November 2014.

OPEN LETTER TO AN TAOISEACH, ENDA KENNY, TD.

Dear Taoiseach,

“I have a dream”

Help fight discrimination.

I know that there are 9 grounds for discrimination in Irish law and I am being discriminated against and I am asking for your help to right this wrong. I have been on to the Equality Authority but they say they can’t help me.

Taoiseach, they are deducting 8 times more from my wage than from my colleague on the same wage in the same business. They say that it is because of my status.

You see, Taoiseach, I don’t know how to say this, but I’m self-employed.

INCOME TAX (PAYE, USC, PRSI)

My colleague (Employee) €15,000 €285

Me (Self-Employed) €15,000 €2,235

And even when I reach the heady salary of a public servant – €50,000 there is still an 11% differential against me because of my status (self-employed). Recent Revenue figures show there are 105,000 of us self-employed on less than €50,000.

Why then must a self-employed single person on an income of €15,000 pay 8 times more tax than her employee on the exact same income and also have a lower entitlement to social welfare benefits.

You say that we are near to your heart.

“Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy” and “we will make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business”, just two of your quotes relating to Irish entrepreneurs and self-employed people who work in, finance and run SMEs. Your support is most welcome.

Now, if you will forgive me for being so blunt; put your money where your mouth is.

Tax us in the same way as everyone else in the economy. The underlying principle of taxation is EQUITY and FAIRNESS, all treated equally. Same income – same tax.

I am not asking for special privilege, I am not looking for ‘double Irish’, I am not seeking ‘Apple status’. In fact, all I ask for is FAIR PLAY.

So, Taoiseach, we who are discriminated against, the self-employed demand equality. So, what are you going to do to stop this blatant discrimination against the very people who you want to create jobs, the self-employed?

Yours faithfully,

Self-employed.