Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on amending Section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1967, in order to allow the cost of specific tuition for dyslexia to qualify for tax relief under the heading of health expenses, which would apply where a child has been diagnosed by a psychologist as having dyslexia and is deemed to be in need of specialist teaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34063/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that expenses in respect of tuition for children with dyslexia do not qualify for health expenses tax relief and have never qualified for the relief since it was first introduced in 1967.

I understand from the Revenue Commissioners, who deal with such claims, that individuals may have been under the impression that tuition for children with dyslexia was allowable under the heading of health expenses relief. I also understand that the Revenue Commissioners have written to the Dyslexia Association to clarify the matter.

In recent years, the Government has increased significantly the supports available through the direct expenditure system for children with disabilities, including those with dyslexia.

As with many areas where State support may be required, the question arises as to whether such support may be more effectively provided through the direct expenditure route rather than through the tax system. One advantage of the former mechanism is that the support may be better targeted at those in need, irrespective of family income, whereas support through the tax system can only benefit those whose incomes are high enough to benefit from tax relief.

I have no plans to extend Section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to cover expenses incurred by parents who have children with dyslexia. However, this matter, like any other, can be raised by the Deputy at Finance Bill time.