Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Health Contributions.
- CIE health contribution receipts 2 speeches
The Minister says the Department lacks figures, but estimates CIE’s health contributions would be insignificant because employer contributions apply only in limited medical-card cases.
Ben Briscoe, Brendan Corish
- Health contribution collection and liability 6 speeches
Haughey says people are confused about who collects health contributions and where to clarify liability. The Minister explains the collection routes and promises to investigate the reported difficulty and inform him.
Charles J. Haughey, Brendan Corish
andMr. Barrett asked the Minister for Health the amount which accrues to his Department from CIE by way of the employer content of health contributions.
Comment on this
The information requested by the Deputies is not available in my Department. Having regard to the fact that there is no employer content in health contributions save to the limited extent of medical card holders, it is estimated that the amount payable by CIE in respect of such contributions would not be significant.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that there is a considerable amount of confusion in the public mind about who should and who should not pay these health contributions? Is he also aware that, while they are primarily a Department of Health matter, they are collected by the Revenue Commissioners.
Comment on this
The annual payment of the health contribution is collected by the Revenue Commissioners. This situation gives rise to considerable difficulty for many people who are not too clear, if they have a doubt or a question, to whom they should apply? Would the Minister avail of this opportunity to give some explanation in that regard.
Comment on this
The Revenue Commissioners collect in respect of those who are self-employed. The health contribution is automatically taken up by the employer and included in the social welfare stamp. All we are concerned about here are those who are in possession of medical cards. If they make known to their employers that they have a medical card, from 1st April he is bound to pay the 39p.
Comment on this
I am concerned about the other categories of people who pay their health contributions on an annual basis and not by means of a stamp. In the case of such a person who has a doubt as to his liability to make the health contribution, to whom should he apply to have that matter cleared up? At the moment, it seems the Revenue Commissioners refer him to the Department of Health and the Department of Health say it is the Revenue Commissioners' job to collect this money.