Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
226. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has considered increasing the rate of tax relief on qualifying health expenses not covered by private health insurance in light of rising healthcare costs and cost-of living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32787/26]
View answerSection 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (“TCA”) 1997 provides for tax relief where an individual proves that he or she has incurred costs in respect of qualifying health expenses. Only “health expenses” incurred in the provision of “health care”, which has been carried out or advised by (in certain circumstances) a “practitioner”, will qualify for tax relief. Health care is defined as the “prevention, diagnosis, alleviation or treatment of an ailment, injury, infirmity, defect or disability”.
Health expenses are defined as “expenses in respect of the provision of health care” and may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• the services of a practitioner,
• diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a practitioner,
• maintenance or treatment necessarily incurred in connection with the services of a practitioner or diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a practitioner, and
• drugs or medicines supplied on the prescription of a practitioner.
A practitioner is defined as "any person who is:
• registered in the register established under section 43 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007,
• registered in the register established under section 26 of the Dentists Act, 1985, or,
• in relation to health care provided outside the State, entitled under the laws of the country in which the care is provided to practice medicine or dentistry there".
Income tax relief in respect of qualifying health expenses, with the exception of relief in relation to nursing home expenditure, is granted at the standard rate of tax (20%).
I would note that the relief currently provides a significant level of support, and in 2023 the latest year for which data is available, the cost of tax relief for health expenses (excluding nursing home expenses) was €223.3 million and it was availed of by 706,300 claimants.
Further guidance on tax relief for qualifying health expenses can be found in Revenue’s Tax and Duty Manual Part 15-01-12, which can be accessed at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-15/15-01-12.pdf.
Finally, and as the Deputy will appreciate, decisions regarding taxation measures are normally made in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill processes, at the appropriate time, and having regard to the sound management of the public finances.
