asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider exempting persons resident in the Six-County area who work in the Republic from the obligation of paying social welfare contributions here, especially in view of the fact that they contribute already under the British National Insurance Scheme and cannot benefit except to a very limited extent from contributions made in the Republic.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Contributions by Six County Residents.
18.
The position under the Social Welfare Acts of persons resident in Northern Ireland and employed here must be considered in the light of an Agreement relating to social insurance made with the Northern Ireland Ministry of Health and Social Services. In accordance with that Agreement, which came into force on 5th October, 1964, contributions under the Social Welfare Acts are not payable in respect of a person ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland who is temporarily employed here in the course of his service for an employer who is resident or has a place of business in Northern Ireland. Such contributions would, however, be payable when the employment here had lasted for as long as 12 months, unless in any particular case the authorities here and in Northern Ireland otherwise agree. In the case of persons who are employed by one employer both here and in Northern Ireland in the same contribution week, the question whether contributions for that week are payable under the Social Welfare Acts or under the Acts in force in Northern Ireland depends on where the employee is resident. Unless he is resident here, contributions under the Social Welfare Acts are not payable in respect of him. Save in the circumstances I have mentioned, contributions under the Social Welfare Acts are payable in respect of Northern Ireland residents insurably employed here and it is not proposed to alter that position.
It is not correct to say that persons resident in Northern Ireland who are required to be insured under the Social Welfare Acts cannot benefit, except to a very limited extent, from contributions paid under those Acts. By virtue of the Agreement which I have mentioned, such contributions may be availed of for the purpose of claims in Northern Ireland to sickness, unemployment and maternity benefit.