asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the lack of proper institutions for the old and infirm in County Donegal, he will consider the payment of old age pensions to pensioners wishing to take up residence in the Nazareth House, Derry, and such other institutions in the Six Counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
No complaints have been received in either of the Departments for which I am responsible that there is a lack of proper institutions for the old and infirm in County Donegal. The Government policy for the improvement and possible extension of such institutions is set out in the recent White Paper entitled Reconstruction and Improvement of County Homes to which I would refer the Deputy.
There is no provision under the Old Age Pensions Acts by which payment of an old age pension may be made to a person outside the State and I am therefore unable to undertake an arrangement of the kind indicated in the question. A suggestion to include provision in forthcoming social welfare legislation to enable such payment to be made on the basis of reciprocal arrangements is being considered in my Department.