Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 4

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Noel Ahern

Question:

97 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the continued inability of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to provide an orthodontic service for teenagers, he will introduce a financial grant support scheme on a means related basis to allow parents to take their children to private orthodontists while allowing the existing system of claims at standard rate on MED 1 form basis to continue; and if he will outline an approximate annual cost for an additional grant scheme as outlined (details supplied). [22776/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

While the introduction of a grant support scheme for orthodontic treatment would be a matter for consideration by the Minister for Health and Children in the first instance, I am not convinced that the scheme outlined offers a significant improvement over the existing mechanism of income tax relief, which is at marginal rate, for eligible dental expenses incurred by taxpayers on behalf of themselves or their families.

I am not at present considering any change to the existing scheme, but would not favour the continuation of tax relief were direct grant aid to be introduced for the same expenditure.