David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount collected under the two per cent health contribution each year from 2000 to 2005; if he can provide figures for the number of people who were eligible for a refund under the refund scheme each year from 2000 to 2005; the number of people who applied for a refund of the health contribution under the refund scheme for each year respectively; the number who were successful in their application; the amount refunded each year respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6691/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The health contribution levy was introduced by the Health Contributions Act 1979 and came into effect on 6 April of that year. The contributions are levied on income at a percentage rate set in pursuance of this and subsequent Health Contributions Acts and the income collected is paid to the Minister for Health and Children. Subject to an earnings threshold, currently €22,800 per annum, and certain exceptions, the levy is applicable to all persons over the age of 16 with reckonable income. The current rate of contribution is 2% of gross income. The health contributions are collected through the PAYE system as part of a person's employment contribution and are paid to the Revenue Commissioners by employers. The contributions are transmitted to the Department which, in turn, remits them to the Department of Health and Children. The Department's PRSI refunds section is responsible for the refund of any health contributions paid in error by those excepted from liability for the contribution by virtue of being the holders of medical cards; being in receipt of certain social welfare pensions or being below the income threshold. This refund work is performed by the Department on behalf of the Department of Health and Children. The figures for the amount collected for the years 2000-05 are set out in table 1, while the figures for the numbers who received a refund of their health contribution and the amount of these refunds for the years 2000-05 are in table 2. The Department does not have information on the number of people who may be eligible for refunds, or for the total numbers who claimed refunds.