asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in deciding an application for retirement pension by a person (name supplied) in Galway.
Written Answers. - Retirement Pension Application.
87.
A claim for retirement pension was received on the 23rd August, 1976, from the person concerned. The Irish insurance number furnished in connection with his claim did not refer to him, but an insurance record relating to him has since been traced in my Department's records. The claimant does not appear to have been employed in this country since 1954 and has no pension entitlement on his Irish insurance alone. The British authorities have been requested to examine his pension entitlement on his British insurance and to put into payment as soon as possible any pension he may qualify for on that insurance. His pension position under EEC regulations is also being investigated to ascertain whether he may have a partial rate pension entitlement from my Department on a combination of his Irish and British insurances. Pending final determination of his entitlements, the claimant is being paid unemployment assistance including an allowance in respect of his wife.