asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that there is undue delay in the payments of sickness benefit to a person (name supplied) and if he will investigate the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
14.
The person referred to by the Deputy in his question had been receiving disability benefit by virtue of reciprocal agreements between this country and the United Kingdom whereby Irish and British insurance may be combined for the purpose of establishing title to benefit. The claimant's Irish insurance was not sufficient on its own to qualify him for benefit. The reciprocal arrangements cease to apply to British insurance contributions for the purpose of disability benefit when a man reaches the age of 65 and payment of disability benefit accordingly ceased when the claimant reached that age. It is understood, however, that he had been receiving a British retirement pension in the meantime on his British insurance.