asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the fact that dental benefits are not at present available to national health insurance contributors, he will consider refunding portion of the contributions made by insured persons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insured Persons' Dental Benefits.
The Deputy's question appears to be based on a misconception of the financial structure of the National Health Insurance system.
The contributions payable under the National Health Insurance Acts by insured persons and their employers are solely for cash payments in respect of sickness, disablement, maternity and marriage, and there is no content in them for the provision of dental benefit or any of the other benefits made available under the scheme of additional benefits administered by my Department. The income from the contributions payable under the Acts, which is not, in fact, sufficient to meet the payments for sickness, disablement, maternity and marriage, is augmented considerably by State grants and by interest on investments. It is only when, after the payment of these benefits, there is a disposable surplus of income that additional benefits may be provided. It will be clear, therefore, that as contributions are not charged for additional benefits and as entitlement to them does not derive directly from such contributions a refund of portion of them to insured persons cannot be made in view of the fact that dental benefit is not at present available.