asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the health services which it is proposed to make available under the Health Bill, 1952, to persons who are already insured in respect of health services under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, it is proposed to reduce substantially the contributions payable under the Social Welfare Act, 1952.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Act Contributions.
It is presumed that the "health services under the Social Welfare Act, 1952" referred to in the question are the benefits listed in sub-section (2) of Section 25 of that Act.
The contributions paid under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, do not include any amount for these benefits, the cost of which is met by State grant, limited to a sum of £500,000 per annum.
The answer to the question is, accordingly, in the negative.