Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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550. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 327 of 18 January 2018, if the form as requested by her Department from the UK Department of Work and Pensions has been received in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48887/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned is in receipt of the maximum rate of Irish widow(er)’s or surviving civil  partner’s contributory pension payable under 66 years of age. The person concerned is also in receipt of a fuel allowance.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in the UK is the competent authority for the assessment of a person’s entitlement to benefits from the UK.  The appropriate form, to request the DWP to examine if the person held a UK pension entitlement, was sent on the 10 May 2017.  A further copy was sent on 16^thof January 2018, of which receipt was confirmed by the DWP on 25 January 2018.

It is a matter for the DWP to correspond directly with the person concerned regarding their possible entitlement to a UK pension.  The person should direct any queries they have in writing to the Department of Work and Pensions, Overseas Benefits Directorate, Tyne View Park, Whitley Road, Benton, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England NE98 1BA , or by telephone to  0044 191 218 7777.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.