VAT Makes Vital Services More Expensive
Agency - MS Ireland
Vat Bill €350,000
MS Ireland was founded in 1961 by Dr. Robert Brian Pringle. The
Society assists people with Multiple Sclerosis in their bid to live
their lives with dignity and participate more fully in the life
of the community.
MS Ireland offers services to people with MS through its network
of voluntary branches and through its full-time staff, at national
and regional levels.
In 1989, the organisation opened the National MS Care Centre, in
Rathgar, Dublin. With additional work carried out over 2001/2, the
centre now has 12 bedrooms for provision of short-term, respite
care. Therapy services are also provided to people with multiple
sclerosis and other neurological conditions.
Although the service offered is essential, it did not come cheap
- €3.14 million to refurbish and redevelop the MS Care Centre.
Some 2.38 million was spent on building costs and professional fees.
The VAT bill came to €350,000. In addition, VAT on the annual
operating costs of the centre amounted to €25,000 in 2003.
That money could have contributed significantly to the
purchase of a new national Resource Centre for people with MS, which
the organisation recently acquired in Dublin.
However, not only was that money unavailable, MS Ireland also had
to pay VAT on the purchase of the new premises – €194,000.
And in any given year, MS Ireland must pay VAT of approximately
€220,000 on general operating costs, to the government.
Without a doubt, this money could make a significant and positive
impact on the lives of people living with MS, across the country.
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