asked the Minister for Social Welfare if Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas will be included in the proposed new social insurance arrangements; and how this will affect voluntary health insurance contributors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Insurance Arrangements.
36.
Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas will not be included in the proposed extension of coverage of the social insurance scheme. It is assumed that the second part of the Deputy's question refers to persons who became voluntary social insurance contributors when their remuneration went over the limit for compulsory insurance. Such voluntary contributors who are employed under a contract of service will again become compulsorily insurable when the income limit is removed. In this connection I might, however, point out that voluntary contributorship under the Social Welfare Acts is entirely distinct from voluntary health insurance with the Voluntary Health Insurance Board.
Would the Minister not agree there is overlapping here? Persons covered in the Voluntary Health Insurance scheme will now be and, indeed, are up to the £1,600 limit and many of them were already covered in the insurance scheme. Does the Minister not agree there is very definite overlapping?
There can be in many cases, yes.
And there are cases where persons could actually save money on their hospital bills.
It is possible.
In view of the lack of information amongst the public and many questions which are being asked about these proposals, would the Minister not think it wise to issue some definite specific information about the benefits and all the effects which this will have?
When the regulations are made all the relevant information will then be made public.
When does the Minister expect that to be?
I would say within the next two or three months.