Pension Provisions.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (739)

Jerry Cowley

Question:

916 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person receiving a full pension from the UK after having been in full-time employment throughout the whole of their working life and having thus made the maximum level of contributions, and in receipt of an occupational pension thus being eligible for a medical card under EU regulations, can retain that entitlement if, post-UK retirement age, they take up employment here thus ensuring that they are not disadvantaged by taking up residence in another EU member state; if this eligibility will cease when the person leaves employment in the State if they have, by this time, become eligible for a part Irish pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22299/04]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Under EU regulations 1408/71, persons taking up permanent residence in Ireland who are in receipt of a social security pension from another EU member state, who are not in receipt of an Irish Department of Social and Family Affairs pension, as either a recipient or dependant and who cannot be regarded as employed or self-employed in Ireland, are entitled to receive health services free of charge and are issued with a medical card.

For UK pensioners retiring to Ireland it is necessary to produce proof of their social security pension and in addition the health board must be satisfied that they are not employed or self-employed, that is, subject to PRSI and have an income above a certain ceiling, in Ireland or in receipt of a payment from the Irish Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Where the EC regulations do not apply, persons with social security pensions from another EC member state are entitled to be assessed for medical cards by the chief executive officers of the health board on the normal eligibility criteria.

With regard to the instance cited by the Deputy, when a pensioner under 70 from another member state takes up employment in Ireland, they cease to have automatic entitlement to a medical card. Such entitlement could be assessed again based on EU health regulations, or in the normal way, on the basis of means and residency, or by age if over 70, by the health board in the light of the factors outlined above.