Main points

The standard rate of corporation tax reduces from 28 per cent to 24 per cent from April 6th, 2000.

A 12.5 per cent corporation tax rate will apply to certain small and medium-sized firms from January 2000. Companies whose total trading income does not exceed £50,000 (€63,487) in an accounting period can benefit.

Employers' PRSI contribution rates will reduce from 12 per cent and 8.5 per cent, to 11.3 per cent and 7.8 per cent.

Employers' PRSI ceiling will increase from £35,000 to £36,600 from April 6th, 2000.

A national training fund levy will be introduced on April 6th, 2000. The apprenticeship levy and sectoral training levies, which were paid directly to Fas, will be abolished in April 2000.