Guide Dog Allowance should be increased – O’Connell

The Guide Dog Tax Allowance needs to be increased, given it hasn’t been reviewed in over three decades, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Today, International Guide Dog Day, Deputy Maeve O’Connell said: “Guide Dogs play an incredibly important role for people with visual impairments.

The allowance was last increased in 1992 and is €825 a year, which is equivalent to a €165 tax credit for registered owners. Deputy O’Connell argues that there must be a review, pointing to the cost of living and the fact many other allowances and payments have been updated.

Increasing the allowance to €1,250 – a rise of €425, would result in a €225 tax credit and would cost the Exchequer an estimated €20,000 a year.

“Even putting aside recent economic turmoil, this provides ample justification for an increase, if even just to keep pace with the regular increase that many other allowances and payments have received over the years,” Deputy O’Connell pointed out.

Deputy O’Connell recently met with representatives from the Irish Guide Dogs Association, which is celebrating its 50th year in existence this year.

“This allowance is well overdue an update, and today I am calling for Government action.

She acknowledged that while the cost of living has placed pressure on households across the country, those who depend on guide dogs face additional expenses.

“Without guide dogs, many people would find daily life much harder. Guide dogs are a much trusted and highly trained aide. To do the work they do, they must be cared for with high quality food and regular vet visits.

“Guide dogs empower people with vision impairment to move safely, confidently, and independently. Nobody can put a price on that. But we must acknowledge that with all the benefits of owning a guide dog, they do cost money and nobody with a visual impairment should be out of pocket to simply go about their business. An increase in the Guide Dog Allowance is long overdue and must be looked at without any delay,” Deputy O’Connell concluded.