Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
266. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the annual cost of increasing the rebate under the Med 1 scheme from 20% to 25%, 30% and 33.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19956/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Revenue that the cost of claims for tax relief on health expenses to 2014, the most recent tax year for which data are currently available, is located on the Revenue Commissioners’ webpage at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/costs-expenditures.html. Updates will be published in due course.
On the basis of the cost to the Exchequer in 2014 of €145.9m, it is estimated that the additional cost of increasing the rate of relief available in respect of health expenses from 20% to 25%, 30% and 33.5% would be in the order of €29m, €58m and €79m respectively. This costing is based on the premise that the current provision granting relief due for Nursing Home fees at the taxpayer's highest rate of Income Tax would continue to apply and that relief for all other health expenses would be granted at the respective rates suggested by the Deputy.
