asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he intends to introduce the comprehensive insurance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Comprehensive Insurance Scheme.
36.
Mr. Kitt
The present social insurance system provides flat-rate benefits to meet the seven contingencies which interrupt earning capacity and are recognised in international conventions as requiring to be covered by income maintenance services in a social security system. These are sickness, invalidity, maternity, unemployment, death of breadwinner, occupational injuries and disease and old age.
Apart from the regular improvements in the rates of payment of the various benefits, the possibility of improving the system in other ways is constantly under review.
A new scheme of pay-related benefit to supplement the flat-rate benefits payable during short-term unemployment or incapacity for work will be brought into operation from the beginning of April, 1974, and, at the same time, the social insurance system will be extended to cover all employees. This is in line with the policy of moving towards a comprehensive social security system covering all citizens. In furtherance of that policy, other ways of improving the system, including the possibility of extending social insurance to the self-employed, are under examination. At this stage, however, I cannot say when further improvements are likely to be made.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary indicate whether the proposals which he has outlined for future development are likely to include as a matter of priority the provision of dental and optical services to those members of the poorer sections of our community to whom they are not available at the moment?
It is intended to extend the comprehensive cover to all citizens as quickly as possible.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary mean dental and optical treatment?
I do not mean these specifically but that would not necessarily exclude them.
Would they be included?
It would not necessarily refer specifically to them but would not necessarily exclude them.
I appreciate that but is the Parliamentary Secretary in a position to say whether it would include them specifically?
I am not in a position to say that specifically.
Mr. Kitt
I should like to know if the voluntary health insurance scheme which operates now will be continued when the new comprehensive scheme comes into force?
Undoubtedly. Actually, a statement from the director of the VHI reassured the public of this.