Cost of increased health contributions
The Minister estimated annual costs of £75, £165 and £290 for workers earning £5,000, £10,000 and £15,000. Woods challenged the 150% increase as alarming and disputed how the extra contributions would benefit health services; the Minister defended the increase and said some funds would improve services.
asked the Minister for Health the cost in a full year to a worker with an income of £5,000, £10,000 and £15,000 per annum, of the 150 per cent increase in health contributions set out in the Government's programme and the removal of the present upper limit on contributions; and the increase in annual cash contributions that this will involve for each of these income groups.
Comment on this
The relevant cost would be £75 for a worker with an income of £5,000, £165 for a worker with £10,000 and £290 for a worker with £15,000,
Comment on this
Would the Minister agree that this is an increase of £1.45 per week in the case of a worker with £5,000, £3.17 per week in the case of a worker with £10,000 and £5.57 per week for a worker with £15,000? Would the Minister further agree that this is in effect a cost of living increase of 1.5 per cent for the worker with £5,000?
Comment on this
I do not dispute the Deputy's figures. In view of the ever-increasing cost of health services I do not consider that an alarming increase.
Comment on this
Will the Minister not accept that an increase of 150 per cent in any area is an alarming increase? I wish to point out to the Minister that his party have calculated the increase at 1½ per cent but that is completely false. What is involved is an increase of 150 per cent on present health charges. Does the Minister not consider that an alarming increase for workers to pay?
Comment on this
For years there has been a rapid increase in the cost of health services. The Deputy asked me a specific question and I have given him the information available to me. The question he has asked now is a separate matter. If he puts down a question I will be glad to give him the information.
Comment on this
The Minister has said the cost of health charges has increased considerably. As I understand it, none of this money is to be used to defray the cost of health services or to improve existing services. I do not think that applies.
Comment on this
Some of it will be used to improve the health services generally. The Deputy is not correct in what he has said.
Comment on this
Does the Minister consider an increase of 150 per cent to be an alarming increase?
