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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 May 1943

Vol. 90 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Balbriggan Employee's Insurance Stamps.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that an employee of Messrs. Smyth, Balbriggan, in receipt of more than £250 per annum, has had national health insurance cards erroneously stamped in respect of him for 15 years past, and that a refund has been made only in respect of three years' payments; and, if so, if he will state why; and whether he is prepared to have the balance of the payments refunded.

An employee of Messrs. Smyth & Co., Balbriggan, wrote to the Department in January last, asking for information as to refund of contributions under the National Health Insurance and Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, erroneously paid in respect of him since 1st January, 1928. He was informed that a refund is not admissible in respect of any contributions paid in error on cards which had been surrendered to the National Health Insurance Society. He was also informed that as the stamped card in respect of the half-year ended 3rd January, 1943, had not been surrendered, a refund of the value of the contributions thereon would be considered when the necessary application was completed by his employers.

No further application has been received, and no refund has yet been made.

Is it not a fact that for 15 years the National Health Insurance Society has been receiving contributions for which it incurred no liability? When asked to refund the money it says: "We will give it back to you for three years past." Surely, common honesty would demand a refund for the other 12 years.

I would point out to the Deputy that this employee was accepted as a bona fide member of the society, and that any claim for benefit received in respect of him would have been dealt with by the society as if he were an insured person. The society accepted a contingent liability.

When he went over the £250 he passed over that mark. Did he not also pass out of being able to receive any benefit?

No. He continued to stamp his cards, and, having surrendered his stamped cards, the society would have paid him benefit.

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