asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state on what conditions a recipient of the old age pension in Northern Ireland may secure its payment if he changes his address to the City of Dublin and if a citizen of the Republic in receipt of old age pension may change his address to Northern Ireland and continue to draw the pension; and, if not, if he will arrange for reciprocity with Northern Ireland to allow this to be done.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
Mr. Byrne
The question as to whether, and on what conditions, a Northern Ireland old age pension would continue to be paid if the recipient should move to a Dublin address is a matter for the Ministry of Labour and National Insurance, Stormont, Belfast. I am aware, however, that Northern contributory pensions are payable to persons while resident outside the Six Counties, but noncontributory old age pensions are not so payable. Pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts in force here are not payable while the person concerned is outside the jurisdiction, save in the case of widows whose title is derived under Section 75, as amended, of the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act, 1935, that is, widows who, but for being aged 70 or over, would be entitled to widows' contributory pensions. Under Section 82 of the Social Welfare (Insurance) Bill, 1951, it is proposed to enable me to make reciprocal arrangements with the proper authority under any other Government, and for this purpose make adaptations of, and modifications in, the Old Age Pensions Acts. This provision has been included in the Bill to enable consideration to be given to the whole position affecting old age pensions of persons going abroad, including cases such as the Deputy has in mind.