Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1990

Vol. 396 No. 3

Written Answers. - US Pensioners.

Enda Kenny

Question:

152 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social Welfare if recipients of US social security pensions, resident in Ireland, who are not in receipt of any pensions from this State, are eligible for free benefits such as the telephone rental allowance, electricity, television licence; and if he will clarify the situation for such pensioners.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The free electricity/natural gas allowance, free television licence and free telephone rental allowance schemes have hitherto been available under certain conditions to recipients of Irish or EC social security pensions.

I am extending free scheme entitlements this year to social security pensioners of States with whom Ireland has signed bilateral social security arrangements. Preliminary discussions have taken place with the relevant US authorities with a view to concluding such an agreement between Ireland and the US, and on conclusion of any such agreement, eligibility for free schemes entitlements would be extended to US social security pensioners. I hope to have these discussions completed at an early date.