The Taoiseach has said Fine Gael's tax policies in the next election will be designed to bring 75,000 emigrants back home.

Enda Kenny said his manifesto will include the total abolition of the Universal Social Charge.

He has described that move as a ‘savage’ tax introduced by Fianna Fáil because of the financial crisis.

And he said abolishing the USC, and creating more jobs, will help to bring young people home.

“It will be central part of our policy on the next election to abolish the savage Social Universal Charge introduced by Fianna Fáil in the lifetime of the next Government,” Mr Kenny said.

“And that means that it holds the opportunity to create over 200,000 jobs during the lifetime of the next Government and indeed to attract back about 75,000 young people who emigrated.”