asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether payment of a pension was refused to a person (particulars supplied) residing in Australia; and, if so, if he will ensure that pensions are paid to all other elderly emigrants.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Refusal of Pension to Emigrant.
20.
In accordance with the Social Welfare Acts and Regulations, a person entitled to old age (contributory) pension who goes to live outside the State, elsewhere than in Northern Ireland, Great Britain or the Isle of Man, is disqualified for receiving pension unless the period of absence is less than 12 months in which circumstances payment for the last six months may be allowed on the pensioner's return.
The person referred to by the Deputy is at present residing permanently in Australia and payment of her old age (contributory) pension has been discontinued. The question of amending the regulations to allow payment of old age (contributory) pensions to persons residing anywhere outside the State is, however, under consideration.
Has the Evening Press taken steps to contradict the statement of one, not unknown, Miss Cooke of Baltinglass that she had obtained payment of her pension while she was living in Australia, although that facility is not, apparently, available to anybody else?
Miss Cooke has been treated like everyone else.
I remember a time when she was not.
Would the Minister then notify the Evening Press of that fact and request them to publish a notice that she is not being paid her pension, although she boasted that she was and, in so doing, misled several other unfortunate elderly emigrants into believing they were being victimised while special treatment was being given to her?
I am not responsible for what appears in the Evening Press, or in any other newspaper for that matter. Miss Cooke has received part of her pension since she went to reside in Australia. She received it under the regulation to which I referred in my answer: a person living outside the State, elsewhere than in Northern Ireland, Great Britain or the Isle of Man, is entitled to claim six months' pension, provided the external residence is less than 12 months. Miss Cooke abided by the regulation and went back to Australia then.
It was a long journey for a six months' pension.
The statement to which I refer was made when she was going for the first time, and before she had gone, and the statement was therefore at that time without justification. It is some more of the irresponsibility the Minister for Finance condemns wholesale.
(Interruptions.)
Order.