Seanad debates

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Fine Gael)

On Second Stage I asked the Minister of State what was the position in a case where someone pays another person's health insurance premiums and he indicated that such persons could claim tax credits. Does a limit apply in such cases? Senator Feeney, for instance, pointed out that she pays the cost of private health insurance for five adults. If the Senator was paying the premiums for five elderly relations, could she claim tax credits for all of them?

An elderly person on an old age pension who has small savings and does not enjoy credits because his or her income is relatively low will have to pay a premium of up to €3,000 per annum. Until now, such an elderly person would pay perhaps €1,800 for health insurance but that person will soon pay €3,000. I ask the Minister of State to clarify the position.

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