Health Contributions Act, 1979

Confirmation and variation of rates and sums specified in Act.

9.—(1) The rate specified in sections 5 (1) (a), 6 (1) and 7 of this Act, and the sum specified in sections 5 (2), 6 (2) and 8 of this Act, shall be either confirmed or varied by regulations made by the Minister before the commencement of sections 5 to 8 of this Act.

(2) The Minister may by regulations vary the rate specified in sections 5 (1) (a), 6 (1) and 7 of this Act, and a rate so varied shall take effect from the beginning of the contribution year following that in which the regulations are made.

(3) The Minister may by regulations vary the sum specified in sections 5 (2), 6 (2) and 8 of this Act, and a sum so varied shall take effect from the beginning of the contribution year following that in which the regulations are made.

(4) When making regulations under subsection (3) of this section the Minister shall take into account any changes in the average earnings of workers in the transportable goods industries as recorded by the Central Statistics Office since the date by reference to which the sum specified in sections 5 (2), 6 (2) and 8 of this Act was last determined.

(5) Where regulations under subsection (2) or (3) of this section are proposed to be made, a draft of the proposed regulations shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the regulations shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each House.