Vol. 220 No. 8
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if there are any discussions between the Government and that of the United Kingdom to reach an agreement whereby British pensioners living in Ireland may receive any increases that come from time to time, rather than have to remain at the fixed basic rate on their existing pensions.
35.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether any further progress has been made with the British Government in negotiating a scheme to permit British pensioners residing in this State to obtain all increases granted by the British Government in respect of the pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
36.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare what progress, if any, has been made towards securing that persons in receipt of the British retirement pension who are resident in Ireland will receive the benefit of increases on the basic rate granted by the British Government on a scale similar to that which applies to persons resident in Britain.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 35 and 36 together. As Deputies are aware, British retirement pensions are paid to persons living in this country. As long as such a person lives here, however, the British authorities freeze his pension at the rate payable when he left the United Kingdom or, if he lived here when awarded pension, at the rate first granted. This British policy of freezing pensions applies to persons living in all countries outside the United Kingdom except where a reciprocal agreement specifically provides otherwise.
My Department has been negotiating with the British Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance over the past two years for a new reciprocal agreement on various matters relating to pensions. One of the issues in these negotiations has been the inclusion of a provision binding both sides not to freeze pensions. I can readily agree to such a provision as Irish pensions are paid in full to persons in the United Kingdom. My Department has been pressing for unfreezing which is, in fact, the only important issue outstanding and the decision of the British Ministry in the matter is still awaited.
I am most anxious to have this matter settled as, indeed, it would already have been if the decision rested with me alone.
