Michael McCarthy (Labour)

At this time of year it is important we raise the issue of Irish emigrants in London and other parts of the United Kingdom. It has recently come to my attention that those returning after 30 or 40 years in the UK are experiencing difficulties with the social welfare system here because they did not make contributions while living there. It is not good enough that those who cemented this country through their earnings in another country, who fed, clothed and educated generations of Irish families and are now returning to retire in an Ireland they know little about are facing major difficulties in receiving social welfare assistance from the State. In some cases individuals have been refused payment because insufficient contributions were made but surely the Minister could examine this matter with an element of compassion, taking into account what they contributed to the Irish economy in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s when there was no money and there were no jobs for these people. It is not acceptable that we should refuse them an element of financial assistance in their retirements.