asked the Minister for Health the action a medical card holder must take in order to obtain the rebate of 15p which he is paying towards the health contribution, if he does not wish his employer to know that he holds such a card; and if he is aware that there appears to be some confusion about the matter within his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Card Holders.
14.
An employer is obliged, under subsection (i) section 4 of the Health Contributions Act, 1971, to pay the health contribution of all his insured workers. Subsection (3) of the same section provides, however, that he may recover such contributions from employees, except in the case of medical card holders.
If he wishes to avoid deductions from his pay in respect of health contributions a medical card holder must satisfy his employer that he is the holder of such a card. This arrangement has been in operation since the commencement of the scheme and I am not aware that there is any confusion in my Department in regard to the situation.
It has not been administratively possible to devise a satisfactory alternative arrangement whereby a medical card holder could avoid or be refunded health contributions under the scheme as at present organised.
I am, however, having the matter examined in order to find if it would be possible to arrange for a refund of contributions to holders of medical cards without involvement of their employers.
Is the Minister aware that there is a form, PRS/2 which tells medical card holders: "If you do not wish your employer to be aware of the fact that you hold a medical card, please enter a tick in the box at 3 below and the contribution will be deducted in the ordinary way. You can then obtain a refund of contributions by forwarding your medical card to the above address after the end of the year"?
No.
It is a form from the Revenue Commissioners instructing medical card holders, if they do not wish their employers to know they have a medical card, on how they can go about getting a refund. Obviously, there is a misunderstanding here somewhere and I shall take it up with the Minister later.
I have already said that I am having the matter examined.
Thank you.
15.
asked the Minister for Health why a medical card was refused in the case of person (details supplied) in County Donegal whose husband is in receipt of unemployment assistance.
The decision on whether or not this applicant is entitled to a medical card is one for the chief executive officer of the North Western Health Board. I am informed that when an application was made for a medical card an assessment of the applicant's means indicated that the granting of a medical card was not warranted. I understand that the case is at present under review.
16.
asked the Minister for Health the cost of extending the social welfare scheme to medical card patients in respect of ophthalmic services.
It is estimated that it would cost approximately £150,000 more a year to provide for medical card patients, ophthalmic services similar to those made available under the optical benefit scheme administered by the Department of Social Welfare for qualified insured persons.