Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has investigated or examined provisions made by other jurisdictions for their missionaries who continue to live abroad on retirement with specific reference to payments of old age pension; the extent to which similar provisions will be made for Irish missionaries in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15595/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has further examined the position of Irish missionaries retired, but while continuing to live abroad fail to qualify for contributory or non-contributory old age pension; if he has come to conclusions on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15596/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.

My Department operates two main types of pension scheme — contributory and non-contributory payments. Contributory payments are paid on the basis of social insurance contributions made over a person's working life. Missionaries who have made sufficient social insurance contributions can qualify for the state pension (contributory). These pensions are payable abroad and so missionaries who qualify and who choose to settle overseas can receive a payment. Non-contributory pensions are only payable where a person is resident in this country.

The question of paying pensions to missionaries who remain abroad was first raised in the context of a submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs by the Irish Missionary Union. Officials of my Department made a presentation to the Committee on the issue. Following that presentation, the Chairperson of the Committee decided to establish a working group to look at the issues raised in more detail.

The Department prepared a report on the issues in question in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and submitted this to the Committee on the 13th March 2007. The report includes information on social security arrangements made by a number of other countries in relation to volunteer development workers and missionaries.

I look forward to receiving the views of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs when it has considered the report prepared by my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Proposals can then be developed further in consultation with Irish Aid and the development agencies in Ireland.