Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I thank the Minister for introducing amendment No. 10. Will he now ask the Revenue Commissioners to arrange an information campaign to tell families, in particular, that it will be possible to claim tax relief on all medical expenses and that there is no threshold? Young families and single individuals who go to the doctor irregularly, perhaps only during the winter flu season, need to know this. They also need to know that they only have four years in which to claim. Those who pay €200 to €400 in medical GP bills for themselves and their children could receive €80, depending on their marginal rates of tax. I hope the Revenue Commissioners will make the information known.

Will the Minister agree to have the relief provided at source on a pilot basis by some medical practitioners? Quite a number of group medical practices are being established, particularly in developing areas such as Dublin West, and are computerised from day one. I know this is not the case with all general practitioners. However, a pilot scheme would facilitate the maximum level of claiming medical expenses by those entitled to claim. We must bear in mind that most chemists have well established systems having been part of the GMS payment schemes for medical expenses.

It would be worthwhile to take this measure a step further. Ultimately, the ideal would be to have tax relief provided at source in order that if one paid €50 to the doctor, one would have the value of the tax relief deducted from the payment and only pay the net amount to the doctor. It would certainly reduce the cost to families.

The Minister may be aware that his colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, was apparently very surprised at the low take-up of the doctor only medical card. Part of the reason is that the forms and conditions attached are extremely complicated. As a consequence, few medical cards were issued. Although the Minister stated previously relatively few families would benefit, the position is different. A number of families will be in a position to benefit. It is important that as many of them as possible are able to do so.

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