asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that Mrs. Annie Deegan, of 49 Summerhill, Dublin, whose husband has been employed in England for over two years and has been paying health insurance contributions to an approved society, has been refused maternity benefit by both the English society and by the Irish National Health Insurance Society; if he will state what are the reciprocal arrangements, if any, with the United Kingdom Government with regard to health insurance contributions; and whether, if no such arrangements exist, he will take steps to ensure that Irish women, living in Ireland, whose husbands are temporarily employed in the United Kingdom, and contributing to an approved society, will be entitled to maternity benefit.

I have no information about the case referred to. As regards the latter part of the question, reciprocal arrangements are in operation between this country and Great Britain for securing the continuity of insurance under the National Health Insurance Acts of a person who being insured in one country is or becomes a resident and employed in the other country. When a member of the National Health Insurance Society takes up residence and employment in Great Britain he continues to be insured (with the application of the British rate of contribution) and remains a member of the Irish Society:

(a) until he becomes a member of a British Society; or

(b) until the expiration of the half-year next after the second half-year in which he has been employed in Great Britain.

So long as he remains a member of the Irish Society he, and in the case of maternity benefit, his wife, would be entitled to payment of benefit from that society.

On the other hand, when he becomes a member of a British approved society the reciprocal arrangements cease to apply and he comes within the scope of the British National Health Insurance Acts, under which payment of benefit is prohibited to a person who is permanently resident outside the United Kingdom. The question is at present the subject of special consideration.

Will the Minister look into the case?

It is being looked into.

There are 59 questions on the Order Paper. I suggest, therefore, that there be no further supplementaries so that the replies to the remaining questions might be given in the House.

I suggest one supplementary by the person who asks the question.

There are only seven minutes for 29 questions.