asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision regarding the application for a retirement pension by a person (name supplied) in County Meath will be made; and the reason for the delay in dealing with the application.
Written Answers. - Retirement Pension.
447.
The person referred to in the Deputy's question has no entitlement to retirement pension on his Irish insurance only, by reason of the fact that he does not satisfy the statutory pension condition which requires a claimant to have entered insurance before reaching age 55. He did not become insured under the Irish scheme until 4th June, 1964, when he was already over age 55.
By reason however of his employment from 1961 to 1963 in the United Kingdom his pension entitlement on a combination of British and Irish insurances is being investigated further under the provisions of the EEC regulations. Details of his British pension position are necessary before his pension entitlement under these regulations can be finally determined by this Department. The British authorities have been requested to expedite their examination of the matter and to notify this Department of the result so that the insured person's final position may be established without further delay. Pending final determination of his pension claim the insured person is receiving maximum rate disability benefit in respect of himself and his wife.