asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider requesting the British Government to refrain from excluding persons living in the Republic of Ireland from their full pension rights where they are entitled to pensions under the National Insurance (Residence and Persons Abroad) Amendment Regulations, 1955 (S.I. 983 of 1955), which came into force on 11th July, 1955, as the exclusion has deprived 56,000 residents of this country of their full pension, although they qualified by virtue of their contributions in all but residence in Great Britain or a dominion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restrictions in Payment of British Pensions.
47.
Without accepting all the implications in the question, I am aware that persons living in this country who are receiving British retirement or widows' pensions are not paid increases of pension while continuing to live here. This restriction is not limited to persons who live in this country but applies to all persons who live outside Great Britain except where reciprocal arrangements otherwise provide.
Representations in the matter have been made in the past without success. The question of making reciprocal arrangements with Great Britain in regard to pensions is under consideration and the restrictions on the payment of British pensions to persons living here will be adverted to in any negotiations that may take place regarding those arrangements.