Vol. 525 No. 4
86 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will reintroduce a tax allowance in respect of home alarm installation, which was introduced in the Finance Act, 1996, and was discontinued on 5 April 1998, in view of the fact this allowance was of benefit to elderly persons especially those living on their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25300/00]
As the Deputy will be aware, section 478 of the 1997 Taxes Consolidation Act, formerly section 5 of the 1996 Finance Act, introduced a tax relief in respect of the purchase and-or installation of house alarm systems for persons aged 65 years of age and over and living alone. The legislation provided specifically that the tax relief would be available only for the period 23 January 1996 to 5 April 1998.
The tax relief was allowed to lapse in part because of the small numbers of claims being submitted and I have no plans to reintroduce it.
