asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the position of voluntary contributors prior to the income limit for social insurance being abolished with specific references to eligibility for hospital service, dental service, if any special VHI rates are provided for such voluntary contributors, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Insurance Contributors.
412.
Persons who were voluntary contributors under the social Welfare Acts on 31 March 1974 and who satisfied certain contribution requirements are entitled to free hospital services, including the services of consultants in public wards and at public clinics, without reference to income. They are also entitled to free maternity and infant welfare services, including the services of a family doctor during pregnancy, and family doctor services for mother and infant up to six weeks after birth. They will retain this entitlement for a period of five years from 6 April 1979 and the position will be reviewed before the expiry of this period.
Their voluntary contributor status does not entitle these persons to dental services except where such services may be received by them as hospital in patients. Voluntary contributor insurance does not include provision for the dental benefit scheme administered by the Department of Social Welfare.
There are no special rates provided for voluntary social welfare contributors under the schemes administered by the Voluntary Health Insurance Board.