People Before Profit/United Left Alliance candidate for Dublin South Central, Joan Collins commented: "This Finance Bill will have a devastating effect on working people in this country. The introduction of the Universal Social Charge will increase the numbers of working poor. The charge is paid by anyone earning more than €4,004 per year or, in other words, by a person earning less than €80 a week. The top rate of 7 per cent, will apply regardless of whether you earn, for example, €20,000 or €200,000.