I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together.
I am advised by Revenue that the estimated cost of tax relief for health expenses and the estimated cost of medical insurance relief is included in the ‘Costs of Tax Expenditures Publication’ (Credits, Allowances and Reliefs), which is available at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-expenditures.aspx.
The current publication includes data up to 2019 in respect of medical insurance relief, and data up to 2018 in respect of health expenses tax relief. The health expenses data are due to be updated shortly, this information will be available at the same link as provided above.
For the convenience of the Deputy, the information requested is set out in the tables below:
Estimated cost of medical insurance relief
Year
|
€ (Millions)
|
Number of Claimants
|
2019
|
355.2
|
1,314,700
|
2018
|
355.7
|
1,258,100
|
2017
|
350.0
|
1,271,400
|
2016
|
329.0
|
1,189,200
|
Estimated total cost (including nursing homes) of health expenses tax relief
Year
|
€ (Millions)
|
Number of Claimants
|
2018
|
190.1
|
527,100
|
2017
|
172.5
|
486,200
|
2016
|
164.2
|
458,500
|
2015
|
155.1
|
444,700
|