asked the Minister for Social Welfare the names of the manufacturers who are prepared to provide public assistance footwear at the prices stated for each range of sizes in the circular letter issued recently by public assistance authorities.
48.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Assistance Footwear.
47.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare his grounds for refusing to pay VAT on public assistance footwear.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.
My Department does not pay for footwear supplied under the public assistance footwear scheme. Payment is a matter for the relevant public assistance authority. However, half the cost of the footwear, subject to limits fixed by my Department, is recouped to the public assistance authorities by way of grants from State funds. The price of the footwear is based on price quotations obtained from certain manufacturers plus appropriate additions for profit and value-added tax.
I am arranging to have the names of the manufacturers sought by the Deputy conveyed to him by letter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that hitherto turnover tax was paid on the range of footwear in question? Is he further aware that it is doubtful if he can shoulder off his responsibility in this matter on to the health authorities?
I do not understand the nature of the grievance the Deputy appears to have.
The grievance is quite plain. A child would understand it.
I am not a child.
Any child in the street would understand it. I will repeat the question. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that local authorities paid TOT on the range of footwear in question and, secondly, is he further aware that value-added tax cannot be calculated as a built-in element in the price of any article?
As I understand the situation, the grants are based on price quotations of manufacturers to which have been added appropriate amounts for value-added tax.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when turnover tax was in question it was not built-in to the price of the article and is he aware that it cannot be done in the case of value-added tax and will he, therefore, not agree that value-added tax should be paid legitimately by the boards in question?
I am not so aware. My information is that value-added tax amounts of 9p, 10p, 11p and 12p were built into the prices of the different ranges to allow for the appropriate amount.
I would respectfully ask the Parliamentary Secretary since when was this device resorted to? Since when have these elements been built in to the general price?
I understand this was referred to in a circular issued in 1972-73 to the appropriate authorities.
Will the Parliamentary Secreatry——
I have given the Deputy a great deal of latitude. There are other questions on the Order Paper and I want to administer justice to all Deputies and allow them an opportunity of having their questions answered.
I will not delay unduly. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that no manufacturer would make those ranges of footwear for his Department last year?
Sorry?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the fact that no manufacturer in the country would make this range last year?
That is a separate matter. We cannot remain on this question all afternoon.
The Deputy has asked for the names of the firms involved and I have undertaken to convey to him by letter the names of the manufacturers.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment since the Parliamentary Secretary is so reluctant about the whole thing.
I will communicate with the Deputy.