The charity Cois Céim Eile which raised €300,000 to buy a special Lokomat exercise machine for disabled people have been slapped with a €60,000 tax bill by the Irish Revenue Commissioners.
The charity was set up by County Tipperary couple Joan and Tom Ryan after a car smash close to their home near Cashel, left their young daughter Edel paralysed and Joan herself with just 5% total vision after the collision.
However, the charity has now been told it faces a VAT bill of 21% of the purchase price of this machine, which was specially commissioned in Switzerland and is being used at the “First Steps Clinic“, Patrickswell, Co.Limerick.
Since this machine arriving in Limerick in recent months, it has been used by people with paralysis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and stroke-related problems.
Edel, now aged 13 and who has strong musical interests, has recently started her secondary education at Rockwell College, Cashel. She started only benefiting from the treadmill type exercise three weeks ago following a setback caused by pressure sores brought about by a loss of blood supply that occurs as a result of sustained pressure.
“We never thought the VAT would be made an issue,” said the Ryan family. “We’re all just ordinary people, we’re not into bureaucracy, however we’re frustrated at having to raise another €60,000 just to pay tax for a piece of equipment which is of huge benefit to all disabled people”.
Revenue have informed the family that if the machine is donated, by the charity, to a hospital, they will qualify for a tax refund. However, the committee are now trying to establish whether the Limerick clinic presently hosting the Lokomat machine, will qualify.
Perhaps the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney could please intervene here ASAP.
If you feel strongly about this situation, or any other issues we raise, why not express your views by commenting, using the Comment Tab provided underneath this post. We would love to hear from you.
Leave a Reply