(1) Sections 5(1) (a), 6(1) and (7) (as varied by the Health Contributions (Rate) Regulations, 1987 ( S.I. No. 104 of 1987)) of the Health Contributions Act, 1979, are hereby amended by the substitution for "1.25 per cent." of "2 per cent." in each place where it occurs.

(2) Section 7A of the Health Contributions Act, 1979, is hereby amended by -

(a) the substitution in paragraph (1) (a) of "£217" for "£207" (inserted by section 26(1) (a) of the Act of 1998),

(b) the substitution in paragraph (1) (b) of "£11,250" for "£10,750" (inserted by section 26(1) (b) of the Act of 1998), and

(c) the substitution in subsection (2) of "£11,250" for "£10,750" (inserted by section 26(1) (c) of the Act of 1998).

(3) This section shall come into operation on the 6th day of April, 1999.