(Waterford) asked the Minister for Health if he will state in relation to the 1 per cent health contribution (a) the amount of arrears collected and the amount outstanding from farmers in 1980 and 1981; and (b) the amount of arrears collected and the amount outstanding from the self-employed in each of those years.
Written Answers. - Farmers' Health Contributions.
303.
The 1 per cent pay-related health contribution scheme was introduced as from 6 April 1979. The two contribution years involved are therefore 1979-80 and 1980-81.
Records of receipts of health contributions from farmers are not such as to enable precise information as requested by the Deputy to be supplied. It is estimated, however, that arrears collected from farmers in 1980 in respect of the contribution year ended 5 April, 1980, amounted to £1.60 million and that at 31 December, 1980 the amount outstanding from farmers in respect of the contribution year 1979-80 amounted to £1.50 million.
It is estimated that arrears collected from farmers in 1981 in respect of the contribution years 1979-80 and 1980-81 combined amounted to £0.84 million and that at 31 December 1981 the amount outstanding from farmers in respect of the contribution years 1979-80 and 1980-81 combined amounted to £3.36 million.
Health contributions are collected from the self-employed by the Revenue Commissioners whose records do not enable information as to arrears to be supplied in the precise form requested by the Deputy.
It is estimated, however, that at 5 April, 1982 arrears due from the self-employed in respect of the contribution years 1979-80 and 1980-81 combined amounted to about £4.6 million. These arrears are constantly under review and when all income assessments for income tax and health contributions purposes for the years in question have been finalised it is expected that the figure for arrears will be lower.
Questions Nos. 304 to 308, inclusive, postponed.