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Tax on text messages could act as disincentive to those seeking help through
free text helpline services - Rehab
Tax on text messages could act as disincentive to those
seeking help through free text helpline services - Rehab
The Rehab Group has written to the Minister for Finance,
Brian Lenihan T.D. and the Minister for Communications,
Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan T.D. seeking assurances that
if a tax
is imposed on text messages in Tuesday's budget, free
text services such as HeadsUp, the suicide prevention freetext service
run by Rehab,
will be exempt from the tax.
"HeadsUp text is part of Rehab's suicide prevention programme",
says Ms. Angela Kerins, Chief Executive of the Rehab
Group. "HeadsUp provides an essential signposting service
which directs young people
to specific support organisations where they can get
help".
Rehab is calling on Government to exclude charities
or support groups with free text helplines from any
proposed tax on text messages.
Rehab's HeadsUp Text is a free and confidential 24-hour
text service, which provides young people with
details of a range of helplines and support services. Since
its introduction in August 2007,
HeadsUp Text has received 21,891 texts from young
people worried about a variety of issues include
suicide, alcohol, drugs, mental health,
debt, sexuality, abuse, sexual health, parenting
and gambling. People can Text Headsup, to 50424
to access the service.
"Those most at risk who we want to encourage to
seek help through 'free', text services may be
the very people who end up with
no credit on their phone. HeadsUp aims to encourage
young people to seek help and support when they
need it, by texting headsup
to 50424,
and any cost could act as a disincentive for
young people in seeking the help that they need." says
Ms. Kerins.
"I would like to see Government recognise the
valuable support that these helplines provide
and ensure that free text helplines are exempt from any
tax which may be applied to text messages in
the future."
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