Sir, - The announcement by the Taoiseach that there is to be a commission on childhood abuse and the establishment of a professional counselling service for the victims of abuse at a cost of about £4 million a year is to be welcomed. However there are two anomalies that the Government could rectify very easily, at little cost to the Exchequer:
1. The Revenue Commissioners do not recognise psychotherapy for sexual/physical abuse as "medical" for the purposes of tax relief on fees paid to psychologists.
2. The VHI holds the same view.
Those who are in psychotherapy for sexual/physical abuse and who are in employment have to pay the fees, which can be substantial over a number of years, from their own resources
Surely the time has come to tell the Revenue Commissioners and the VHI to change their attitude - and to backdate their decision for, say 10 years. - Yours, etc., Ed Broderick,
Ranelagh, Dublin 6.