asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that Irish claimants who have been working in Commonwealth countries and who have returned home to Ireland are being refused full recognition of their insurance stamps of these Commonwealth countries and as a result are being disqualified from benefits of widows' pensions and unemployment benefits, and if he will state what reciprocal arrangements are in operation and if he will ask for their extension so as to prevent the continuation of the injustices to our Irish citizens.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Workers' Insurance Stamps.
Mr. A. Byrne
I am not aware of the rejection of any claim to a widow's contributory pension or to unemployment benefit where the statutory conditions laid down in existing legislation, or as modified by reciprocal arrangements, are satisfied.
Arrangements with Great Britain and Northern Ireland provide for reciprocity in relation to insurance for sickness, maternity and unemployment benefits, and with Great Britain in relation to the payment of widows' contributory pensions. Steps have been taken with a view to enlarging such arrangements to cover, inter alia, insurance for widows' pensions. Negotiations are also in progress in regard to reciprocal arrangements with the Isle of Man.
Reciprocal arrangements other than those mentioned are not at present contemplated.