asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what steps are taken to inform an insured person on his ceasing to be engaged in insurable employment that he is entitled to continue in insurance as a voluntary contributor by paying the joint employers' and workers' contributions; and by whom such information is communicated to the insured person.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insurance Information.
A person who ceases to be in insurable employment within the meaning of the National Health Insurance and Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts may normally become a voluntary contributor only if he makes application within 12 months of the date of his ceasing to be in such employment. Whenever the fact that the person has ceased to be compulsorily insurable comes to the notice either of my Department or of the National Health Insurance Society during that period, he is supplied with literature informing him of his right to become a voluntary contributor and the procedure to be adopted. The local agents of the society mentioned are available to advise the persons concerned in other cases. In addition, certain of the cards issued to insured persons contain notes drawing attention to the voluntary side of the scheme and in the past the society has sought, by press advertising, to ensure that no eligible person will forego his rights through ignorance of the position.
There is no statutory obligation either on the Department or on the society in regard to the matter.