Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Freud (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 July 2011.

Health: Reciprocal Agreements

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 16 June (WA 209–10), why the Pension Service healthcare costs questionnaire sent to United Kingdom pensioners in the Republic of Ireland asked whether pensioners were in receipt of pensions from the Republic of Ireland authorities and for the names and addresses of previous Irish employers; and what percentage of respondents had such pensions.

Answer: Under European Union regulations, liability for healthcare for state pensioners is determined by which member state pays an individual's pension. Therefore, the questionnaire sought to establish cases where an individual may have been in receipt of both a United Kingdom and Irish pension. In such case, it is likely that the responsibility for healthcare would fall on the member state of residence. The Department for Work and Pensions has not retained the questionnaires and is therefore unable to calculate the percentage of respondents.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 10506; 729 c161WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Health: Reciprocal Agreements
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Written questions
House of Lords; Health: Reciprocal Agreements
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: British nationals abroad Health services Pensioners Pensions Reciprocal arrangements Republic of Ireland Questionnaires
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk