asked the Minister for Health if he will relieve the health boards of the burden of tax collection, i.e. the youth employment levy, the 1 per cent income levy and the health contribution; if these matters will be referred to the local authority rate collectors for attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The question of making alternative arrangements for the collection of health contributions and levies from the farming population is at present under active consideration. I am not at present in a position to provide details of the revised arrangements but I anticipate that they will come into operation with effect from April 1984.