asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the crisis in health funding, if he will issue instructions to health boards to institute legal proceedings for recovery of outstanding health contributions.
Written Answers - Health Contributions.
32.
There is no crisis in health funding. I am fully satisfied that with prudent management sufficient funds will be available to meet approved levels of expenditure.
The Revenue Commissioners were made responsible for the collection of health contributions from farmers with effect from 6 April 1984. However, health boards, which had formerly been responsible for the collection from fulltime farmers, retained responsibility for collecting any arrears due from farmers up to that date.
Health boards are aware of the importance of collecting these arrears which amounted to £5.85 million on 30 September 1987. The boards are also aware of the measures available to enforce such collection including legal proceedings where appropriate and are making every effort to enforce collection. I do not see any need to issue special instructions at this stage.