asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state (a) the total membership of the National Health Insurance Society as on the 30th June, 1950; (b) the number of members who surrendered cards bearing not less than (i) 48 contributions, (ii) 30 contributions, and (iii) 16 contributions and under for 1949-50, and (c) the number of voluntary contributors of the National Health Insurance Society as on 30th June, 1947, and the number on 30th June, 1950.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Health Insurance Society.
(a) Figures for the total membership of the National Health Insurance Society as on the 30th June, 1950, are not yet available. It is estimated, however, that the number of members at that date was approximately 667,000. Information is not available regarding the number of members who, for the year 1949-50, surrendered cards bearing (b) not less than 48 contributions, (c) not less than 30 contributions, and (d) 16 contributions and under. To compile such information would involve considerable time and labour which would not be justified. (e) Figures of the numbers of voluntary contributors of the National Health Insurance Society are available as at the end of each year only. The number of such contributors at 31st December, 1947, was 1,950. The number at 31st December, 1950, was 2,037.