Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Did anything trigger this review of the 8,000 persons, or was it merely something that was waiting to be done and it happened to be on a particular date? In fairness, I am aware from my previous occupation that the Department can be thorough when somebody dies in terms of examining the person's estate. It is obviously more difficult where somebody is resident abroad.

Does the Department intend to issue the swipe cards it is progressing to persons living outside the State to collect their pensions or will such cards work abroad? Regardless of whether the Department intends to do that or makes a decision not to do so for persons resident outside the State, will this review be completed before then? If the Department will be making further contact, giving persons a swipe card would be on a par with giving them another pension book to enable them get their pensions. That issue should be resolved first.

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