Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

Given the great work the missionaries do, I am sympathetic to that proposal. If they return permanently to Ireland, they will in all likelihood qualify for non-contributory pensions. However, the position of other volunteer development workers must be considered before extending these provisions. Since 1985, social welfare regulations have been modified to provide a measure of assistance by crediting contributions for periods of absence of up to five years.

To clarify my earlier response to Deputy Stanton, while my Department has not made an official estimate, the Irish Missionary Union, in its submission to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, estimated that approximately 800 missionaries could immediately receive pensions at an estimated cost of €7 million per year. The IMU believed the numbers would peak at 1,000 per year and annual costs at €9 million. We understand that this could be an underestimation and Irish Aid has been in contact with missionary organisations to clarify the position.

Problems arise in terms of habitual residence clauses, volunteer workers and a pension system which does not easily lend itself to exemptions on the basis of the type of work people have done. It is difficult to extend pensions to people who come for short periods but, if they return permanently, they will almost certainly qualify for non-contributory pensions.

See this speech in context