asked the Minister for Social Welfare what regulations have been made to govern eligibility for the retirement pension with effect from 1st October, 1970 for unemployment benefit recipients over 65 years of age.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retirement Pension.
43.
Section 7 of the Social Welfare Act, 1970, provides that a person who has attained the age of 65 shall be entitled to retirement pension for any period of retirement if he satisfies the relevant contribution conditions. Section 18 of that Act inserts the latter conditions in the Fourth Schedule to the Social Welfare Act, 1952, by the addition thereto of a new paragraph, number 9. Eligibility for retirement pension may also be affected by the provisions of the Social Welfare (Retirement Pension and Invalidity Pension) (Transitional) Regulations, 1970 (Statutory Instrument No. 224 of 1970) which provide that contributions under the former National Health Insurance Acts may be taken into account in certain circumstances, and by the Social Welfare (Retirement Pension) Regulations, 1970 (Statutory Instrument No. 225 of 1970) which specify the periods which are regarded as periods of retirement for pension purposes and also provide for payment of reduced rates of pension where the contribution conditions are not satisfied in full.
Is there any difference between the qualifications for this retirement pension and for unemployment benefit made by the same applicant?
There is no difference.
If the Minister says that is so I shall take his word for it, but that is not my information.
The continuity is the only thing that may be affected.