asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax collected by the Revenue Commissioners from the Irish Hospitals Trust (1940) Limited in each of the past five years by way of 25 per cent stamp duty; and if he will arrange that this money be refunded by the Revenue Commissioners for allocation towards the cost of the health services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stamp Duty Payments by Hospitals Trust.
30.
In the five years ended 31st March, 1964, the amounts of tax collected from the Irish Hospitals Trust (1940) Limited by way of 25 per cent stamp duty were as follows:
|
Year ended 31st March, 1960 |
£1,007,885 |
|
,,,,,,,,1961 |
£1,067,203 |
|
,,,,,,,,1962 |
£1,093,233 |
|
,,,,,,,,1963 |
£993,281 |
|
,,,,,,,,1964 |
£944,403 |
|
Total |
£5,106,005 |
This duty is simply an alternative to the income tax which would normally be chargeable on the profits derived from the Hospitals Trust sweepstakes. I am not prepared to accept the suggestion that arrangements be made for a refund by the Revenue Commissioners for allocation towards the cost of the health services. Apart from anything else, the moneys collected have long since been remitted by the Revenue Commissioners to the Exchequer and appropriated for use by Vote of the Oireachtas.