The Government's decision to abolish the ceiling on employer's PRSI payments has cost technology firms £35 million (€44.5 million) and undermined competitiveness, an industry body has been told. The decision should be reversed in the forthcoming budget, according to ICT Ireland. It said the additional taxation was hurting emerging high-tech and communications businesses. It is also negatively affecting struggling companies that were not paying corporation tax, said the body in its pre-budget submission.