Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2006
408 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is intended to address the issue of retired Irish missionaries living abroad who only qualify for non-contributory old age pensions if they return home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37962/06]
View answer409 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated number of Irish missionaries currently living abroad who might qualify for old age pension subject to means testing, if they returned home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37963/06]
View answer410 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress which has taken place in regard to offering non-contributory old age pension payments to retired Irish missionaries who cannot qualify while living abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37964/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 408 to 410, inclusive, together.
My Department operates two main types of pension scheme; contributory and non-contributory payments. Contributory payments are paid on the basis of social insurance contributions made over a person's working life. Missionaries who have made sufficient social insurance contributions can qualify for the state pension (contributory). These pensions are payable abroad and so missionaries who qualify and who choose to settle overseas can receive a payment. Non-contributory pensions are only payable if a person is resident in this country. Accordingly, missionaries who return here and who satisfy the habitual residence condition and a means test can qualify for a pension. It is not possible to estimate the number of Irish missionaries abroad who might qualify for the state pension (non-contributory) if they returned home, as my Department does not have information on their individual cases. The question of paying pensions to missionaries who remain abroad has been discussed by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs which established a working group to examine the issues raised in more detail. A report is being finalised for the working group between my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The report examines the question of pensions for missionaries and the wider issue of social insurance for volunteer development workers in general. This will be forwarded shortly to the working group who may then, I understand, bring forward proposals to the Joint Committee.
