asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that many widows whose husbands' employment was in Great Britain are denied contributory widows' pensions because their national health insurance stamps were affixed to cards in Great Britain; and, if so, if he will state if reciprocal arrangements can be made with Great Britain to extend the national health insurance benefits, at present reciprocated, to the sphere of widows' pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Contributory Widows' Pensions.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, it has not been found possible to make reciprocal arrangements with Great Britain for widows' and orphans' pensions insurance. Proposals for legislation to preserve the insurance rights under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts of Irish nationals who, having been insured in this country, leave the country during the period of the emergency and die or return to this country before the termination of the emergency are, however, under consideration and the position will be considered as sympathetically as possible.
In view of the very small number of persons who would be excluded if the concession envisaged in the coming legislation were confined to persons who, for the first time, laboured in Great Britain during the emergency, will the Minister consider including all persons whose cards were stamped in Great Britain, who are nationals of this country and who are now resident in this country in the concession which he envisages?
The matter to which the Deputy refers is under consideration.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say when the legislation is likely to be introduced?
I should say in the very near future.
Will it be before the Recess?
I hope so.