Up to 50 elderly religious missionaries who have tried to claim old-age pensions this year have been refused, under new rules from the Department of Social and Family affairs.
Members of religious orders who live abroad were entitled to collect pensions when they came home on leave, regardless of how long they stayed in the State.
However, under the new Habitual Residence Condition, in force since May, applicants for social welfare entitlements must be resident in the State for two years or more, with an intention to remain permanently. The regulation was introduced to prevent a sudden drain on the system from applicants from the new EU member-states.
The policy has been criticised by the Irish Missionary Union (IMU), who said missionaries were entitled to some recognition from the State for their work abroad, and the Fine Gael spokesman for family affairs, Mr Michael Ring.
The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, said yesterday she was aware of the concerns of the IMU, but it would be unfair to make an exception for missionaries. "Every effort is made to find grounds for making a positive decision when cases are being considered. These grounds, however, have to be compatible with EU law and other international and national legal obligations and it is not possible to discriminate in favour of any particular group or nationality."
