asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether workers, who are compelled to leave their employment in Northern Ireland and to return here owing to the operation of the residence permit system, will lose the benefit of national health insurance contributions paid in Northern Ireland; and if he will make arrangements, with the appropriate authorities, to ensure continuity of benefits for such workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Health Insurance Benefits.
The National Health Insurance (Great Britain) Reciprocal Arrangements Order, 1924, provides for the continuity of insurance (and consequently of benefits) of a person who, having been insured in Northern Ireland, becomes resident in this country, provided he takes up employment here. If he does not take up employment here his Northern Ireland insurance remains effective for a limited period during which his insurance position continues to be subject to the Northern Ireland Acts, which prohibit payment of benefit to an insured person who is permanently resident outside the Six Counties and Great Britain.