Written answers

Tuesday, 29 April 2008

9:00 pm

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 103: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will introduce tax relief for the costs of structural works to a home necessitated by a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16093/08]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, provides Exchequer funding to individuals with a disability or the parents of children with a disability through the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability Scheme and the Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme. These schemes, operated by the local authorities, are designed to assist in the carrying out of works to provide adequate accommodation for people with a disability.

Details of the revised framework of grant aid to assist older people and people with a disability were announced as part of the Government's Housing Policy Statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, published in February 2007. The revised suite of Schemes was implemented on 1 November 2007.

I would also point out that mortgage interest relief is available at source in respect of interest paid on monies borrowed for the purchase, maintenance, repair or improvement of the taxpayer's main residence. The level of mortgage interest relief which a borrower receives is determined by the amount of interest which the borrower pays and by the rate of relief and the ceiling on that relief in force at any given time.

Full details about mortgage interest relief are available on the Revenue Commissionerswebsite — www.revenue.ie — or by contacting the Tax Relief at Source Lo-Call number1890 46 36 26.

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 104: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will introduce tax relief for the extra costs of hiring a car suitable for person with a disability when they are on holidays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16094/08]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that tax relief is not available in respect of expenses incurred in hiring a car suitable for a person with a disability when they are on holidays. However, in recent years, this Government has increased significantly the supports available through the direct expenditure system for individuals with disabilities. In all, it is projected that over €900 million of the 2008 Estimates allocation for the Department of Education and Science will be related to disability and special needs and €1.6 billion of the 2008 Estimates allocation for the Department of Health and Children will be related to disabilities.

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 105: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on levying direct and indirect tax on online casinos based here at a level comparable to that levied in the Isle of Man; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16095/08]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have been advised by my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Brian Lenihan, T.D., that under Irish law, gaming and gambling is illegal, except where it is specifically permitted under the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act. Certain gaming activities, such as those carried out in casinos, are prohibited. The Deputy will be aware that what is deemed to be illegal off-line is also illegal on-line and this is the case in relation to the provisions of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956-1986. In such a context, therefore, the question of taxing on-line casinos does not arise at present.

However, the issue of internet gambling is one of the matters considered by the Casino Committee on regulating gaming in Ireland which has reported to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is expected that the Report of the Casino Committee will be published shortly and the Government plans to establish an All-Party Committee to consider its content.

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