asked the Minister for Social Welfare why the retirement benefit due to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford under EEC regulations since September, 1975, has not as yet been finalised; the steps he has taken in this case to date; and the further steps he intends taking.
Written Answers. - Retirement Payments.
46.
The person concerned has no pension entitlement on his Irish insurance alone. The delay in determining his position under EEC regulations arose mainly from difficulties experienced in establishing his correct pre-1954 Irish insurance position because of discrepancies in age particulars furnished by him at different times to my Department and because he did not retain the original insurance number allotted to him. The difficulties have now been resolved and the necessary information obtained and sent to the British authorities who have been requested to expedite their decision. They have also been requested to supply my Department with details of his British insurance so that his pension entitlement from my Department under EEC regulations on a combination of his Irish and British insurance may be determined.
47.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in the claim for a retirement pension by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; the steps he has taken to date in this case; and the steps he intends to take to have the case finalised.
The person concerned had no pension entitlement from my Department on his Irish insurance alone. Investigation of his pension entitlement under EEC regulations on a combination of his Irish and British insurance was, however, necessary. The claimant's only employment since 1944 has been in Britain and the British authorities were advised of his pension claim on 22nd October, 1975, and were requested to put into payment as early as possible any pension entitlement he had on his British insurance. Investigation into his pension entitlement from my Department under EEC regulations continued and it was established that he had no such entitlement. Further, it was established that credited contributions awarded to him by virtue of reciprocal agreements with Britain in respect of periods he had been paid disability benefit in this country on foot of British insurance were for transfer to his British record for pension purposes. The British authorities were informed of this on 9th December, 1975, and the contributions were then transferred.
Following the Deputy's representations on the claimant's behalf in February last the British authorities were again requested by my Department to expedite their determination of this man's claim. Following further inquiry, my Department have been informed by the British authorities that a British pension has now been awarded and put into payment to the claimant, and that arrears due have been paid.