asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that a dispensary doctor on junior hospital duties has no income tax allowance for his car or telephone; and if he will take steps to rectify this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dispensary Doctors' Tax Allowances.
26.
I am not aware that a dispensary doctor on junior hospital duties has no income tax allowance for his car or telephone. Any such allowance due is granted in the income tax assessment which is made in respect of his professional income.
If the Deputy knows of a difficulty in a particular case and furnishes me with the relevant details, I shall have the matter investigated without delay.
I tabled this question because there is some difficulty in obtaining dispensary doctors in rural areas where their practices would be solely connected with the dispensary. There is a slight misprint in the question which should read "dispensary doctor or junior hospital doctor". It is a fact that a dispensary doctor does not receive tax allowance for either his motor car or his telephone. This is an old regulation which is possibly out of date.
This is not correct. It is possible for such doctors to get these allowances. If they claim them and they are entitled to them they will get them. If the Deputy will give me details of any case where there is difficulty I shall have it investigated immediately.
Would a plasterer who had to travel and use the telephone in connection with his work get a similar sort of allowance?
Not so far as I know.