Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the advice available from his Department to persons who believe they may have an entitlement to a pension arising from time spent working in the UK. [43067/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The primary objective of the Department's information policy is to ensure that all customers are made aware of the wide range of schemes and services available, including pension entitlements, and that they are kept informed of changes and improvements as they occur.

The Department operates a network of some 125 Local and Branch Offices throughout the country. Each Local Office has officers who are dedicated to providing information and are available to explain supports and services to customers. This locally-based service is supported by a central Information Unit which operates a LoCall information line (1890 66 22 44) which customers may call for information and guidance on their entitlements. The Department's website, www.welfare.ie , contains full information on the range of schemes and services including information on pensions and how to claim an EU pension from another European Economic Area (EEA) country.

People residing in Ireland are advised to complete the relevant State Pension application form available on the website, which includes questions requesting details of employment outside the Republic of Ireland. The Department will notify other countries covered by EU Regulations or bilateral agreements that the person may be entitled to a pension from them. In addition if a person has not yet reached age 65, but has reached the age of eligibility for EU Pension in another EEA country they have worked in, and from which they now wish to claim an EU pension, this can also be done through the Department's offices in Sligo. The application form EU65 is available on the website.

People Residing outside Ireland are advised to apply for EU Pension to the pension institution in their country of residence if living within an EEA country; or to the pension institution in the EEA country in which they were last insurably employed if living outside the European Economic Area.