asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a claim for non-contributory old age pension by a person (name supplied) was not granted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension.
16.
Non-contributory old age pension is not payable outside the State except in the case of pensioners going to reside in Northern Ireland who have been, immediately beforehand, in receipt of pension. The claim in this case was from a person in Northern Ireland who was not in receipt of pension at any time.
Would the Minister not consider this particular case as the person feels an injustice is being done? She feels she is being discriminated against. She would have applied if she had known. It was due to ignorance on her part that she did not know she could apply from here. She feels she is being discriminated against by virtue of the fact that she is one of a minority religion, and cannot get this pension. She lived here all her life in Cavan and she is entitled to it.
We cannot discuss this whole matter on this question. The Deputy is entitled to put a question.
You are getting as testy as some of the others.
No, but it is very difficult to be patient with the Deputy. He wants to make a speech on every question.
My limited knowledge of this case so far would seem to indicate that the lady in question applied from an address in the Republic of Ireland but when the case was investigated she gave an address somewhere in the Six Counties and said she was living there so under existing laws there is nothing we can do about it.
Would the fact that at the time she made application she lived in Cavan, even though by the time it was considered she had moved to Northern Ireland not warrant looking at it again?
It was not from Cavan she applied. It was from an address in Dublin. She was living in Lisburn Perhaps it is not the same case?
It is. Will the Minister look into this again?
I am looking at it again.