asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that maternity benefits are not being paid, either by the British or Irish National Health Insurance Societies, to wives, resident in Éire, of Irishmen who are employed in Great Britain and who have a large number of contributions to their credit in both societies; whether he will make a statement on the general position; and if he will state whether any reciprocal arrangements are being made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maternity Benefits.
The matter referred to has been the subject of prolonged correspondence with the British National Health Insurance Authorities and agreement has been reached that payment of maternity benefits in respect of persons from this country coming within the scope of the existing National Health Insurance Reciprocal Arrangements and who are insured under British law will not be withheld on the ground that the wives of such persons are resident in this country. The necessary amendment of the Reciprocal Arrangements, which will have effect from the 1st January, 1943, has recently been made.