asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that great confusion exists amongst Irish workers, who are employed in Britain, in connection with the payment of benefit by his Department on their return to this country; if all British contributions are taken into consideration in the assessment of Irish benefit; and what Irish benefits are available to insured persons, formerly employed in Great Britain, who return to this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Workers in Britain.
2.
I am not so aware and I do not accept that the position is as stated by the Deputy.
Reciprocal arrangements between this country and Great Britain provide in the case of the short-term benefits that contributions in one country may be treated as contributions in the other for the purpose of entitlement to benefit. In the case of the long-term benefits, that is, widow's pension and contributory old age pension, contributions paid under the British scheme may be reckoned for the purpose of these benefits in this country. The arrangements also provide that certain British benefits are paid in this country and that increases in benefit are payable in respect of dependants who are resident here. There are different conditions applying to the transfer of contributions in relation to each benefit or pension. In the case of disability benefit a person claiming this benefit on his return from Great Britain is entitled to have his British insurance treated as if it were Irish insurance if this will entitle him to benefit, or to benefit at a higher rate than his Irish insurance would give him.
These reciprocal arrangements are in continuous review and as recently as April last officers of my Department met with officers of the British Ministry of Health and Social Security with a view to extending the application of the arrangements to the new benefits which were introduced under our legislation last year.
Is the Minister aware that there is great delay in dealing with short-term applications for benefits? Is there anything that can be done in the Department to speed this up?
This is part and parcel of what the consultations are about.
Could some temporary payment be made pending a final decision? This is all very slow.
I will mention that aspect of the matter to the Minister.