asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is a fact that the reciprocal agreements between this country and the United Kingdom in relation to national health benefits are not applicable from the United Kingdom to beneficiaries over 60 years; and, if so, if he will arrange for negotiations with the United Kingdom to rectify this position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reciprocal Health Benefits.
23.
Under the provisions of the British National Insurance Acts title to sickness benefit normally ceases at age 65 for men and at age 60 for women and therefore the reciprocal agreement with Great Britain, in so far as it refers to sickness benefit, could not be extended to cover persons over those ages. Such persons, however, may be entitled to British retirement pensions, which are payable here.
I may also mention that under a separate arrangement with the British Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance, persons resident here who have a provisional title to a British retirement pension but who have not retired may, if they fall ill, be paid benefit at the rates applicable under the Social Welfare Acts or at the British retirement pension rate, whichever is the lower.