Joe Walsh
Question:60 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Health the categories of pensioners exempted from the health contribution levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9077/95]
Written Answers. - Exemption from Health Contribution Levy.
Limerick East): The categories of pensioners exempt from the health contribution levy are as follows. Under the Health Contribution Act, 1979, the following categories of pensioners were exempted from liability for payment of the health contribution levy.
Persons in receipt of a widow's contributory or a widow's non-contributory pension from the Department of Social Welfare were exempted from payment of the health contribution levy on all of their income. The exemption referring to persons in receipt of a widow's contributory pension was amended by the Social Welfare Act, 1995, and the exemption now refers to the survivors contributory pension payable to both widows and widowers.
In addition section 1 of the Health Contribution Act, 1979, excludes all pensions payable by the Department of Social Welfare from liability for payment of the health contribution levy on the amount of the pension with any additional income in excess of £178 per week being liable for payment of the levy.