Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The scheme is to deal with those living abroad; the current system still applies to anyone living here. Applicants must verify their age, their place of birth, their citizenship and their identity. We have been missing out on those living abroad as the scheme deals with those living in the country. There is not a problem regarding the people living here. The scheme is based on Irish citizens born in Ireland. As I said in my reply, up to now the bounty was payable only to centenarians living in the State, regardless of their nationality. I said that at the outset, and that arrangement will continue. The changes relate to those people living outside the country, but they must have been born in Ireland.

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