Harney favours primary care provision tax breaks

TAX breaks should be given for the development of primary care centres — one-stop shops where you can access all your local medical requirements — the Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney said yesterday.

Primary care centres allow patients to access a GP, pharmacist, physio or community care nurse locally, rather than clogging up A&E wards. However, while some have been established, Ms Harney favours tax breaks for developers to encourage the opening of more centres.

“Certainly if tax breaks or tax allowances can support the development of new, modern facilities, I would personally favour that,” she said.