CAT Scan tax fears unfounded
14 August 1996
TOM KELLY REPORTS
A campaign to provide a £450,000 CAT scan facility at Mayo General Hospital has NOT been hit by a crippling tax obstacle. . . despite speculation to the contrary.Fears had been expressed in the county that a 21 per cent V.A.T. levy was being placed on the purchase of the much-needed unit. That would have put an additional £90,000 burden on the committee spearheading the massive fund raising drive. But Dr. Brendan Murphy, a member Mayo CAT Scan Appeal, last night confirmed that a special tax exemption had been granted for the unit.
The exemption, sanctioned by the Revenue Commissioners, was arranged some time ago through Castlebar accountancy firm, Michael Cosgrove & Partners. Said Dr. Murphy: "This matter has been cleared from an early stage. There is no question of us paying a 21% tax surcharge and any statements to the contrary are untrue."
Dr. Murphy said the fund raising campaign was progressing very well. "It is relatively early days as yet, but the indications at this point are encouraging.
"There are committees throughout the county working hard towards reaching our targets. The public has also been very generous to date."
The CAT Scan Appeal was launched last December with a view to raising £400,000 over a two year period.
The need for a scanner to be located in the county has been well documented over a long period. Each year up to 600 patients from Mayo have to make the trip to hospitals in Galway or Dublin, putting unnecessary travel on them particularly in times of emergency.
A Cat Scan is used to investigate abnormalities in any part of the body, from head to toe. It can detect conditions which ordinary X-rays cannot. Added Dr. Murphy: "The facility is of immense value in the detection and follow-up of cancer. It will outline the exact position of the cancer, showing its extent and whether it has spread to other organs."
Beverly Cooper Flynn, the Fianna Fail representative, welcomed the news that the tax levy had been lifted on the Mayo CAT Scan.
Concern had been expressed to hear about the matter, and it would have
been outrageous to expect a community to pay such a huge amount.
Connaught Telegraph - News - August 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - August 1996
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