Vol. 399 No. 3
10 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Social Welfare the progress which has been made towards achieving (a) a uniform method of paying social welfare benefits and (b) a uniform level of social welfare benefits throughout the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Social security systems in the various member states have developed separately in the light of the political, economic and social history of each country. As a result there are significant differences in the way systems are organised and the manner in which benefits are provided. Disparities in the levels of economic development achieved by the various member states also result in significant differences in the levels of benefits which it is possible to provide.
Given these differences it is accepted by the Commission and all member states that harmonisation of national systems of social security throughout the EC is not a realistic possibility at least in the short to medium term. However, it is also recognised that the divergence of social security systems may serve to place a brake on free movement and exacerbate regional imbalances.
Accordingly, at an Informal Council of Ministers for Social Security in Ashford Castle on 27 April, which I hosted, a broad consensus was reached on the need for a strategy of convergence of social protection objectives and policies. This would involve the development of an agreed set of objectives for social protection, with member states being committed to the gradual introduction of appropriate measures, having regard to levels of economic development and financial capacity, to meet the objectives. Progress in achieving the objectives would be monitored at Community level. Arrangements would also be made to enable member states to exchange information and compare experiences on the effectiveness of their social protections systems in achieving the objectives. Such a process would greatly contribute to the evolution in a converging manner of systems of social protection throughout the Community in the years ahead.
The Commission was asked to expedite work in this area in consultation with senior officials of the members states, with a view to bringing forward proposals before the end of 1991, in line with the commitments given in this regard in its action programme, relating to the implementation of the Community Charter of Basic Social Rights for Workers.
I agree with the Minister when he says that the various member states have developed their own social security systems but the problems which have arisen have been resolved with the creation of the Single Market. Would the Minister not agree that those in receipt of social welfare payments have been forgotten by the European Community and that the Social Charter only caters for those at work and makes no attempt to ensure that unemployed immigrants from non-EC countries would receive benefits under the social security systems operated by the various member states? Would he also not agree that the Council of Ministers at their two day meeting in Ashford Castle should have given some serious consideration to the case being made by those facing difficulties in claiming social welfare payments in the member states of the European Community?
In the first instance, I thought the meeting was particularly helpful and valuable. Indeed, I can show the Deputies some correspondence I received from the Ministers of other countries who also thought it was particularly helpful and valuable at this time. The Deputy has put his finger on the problem when he said the social welfare provisions are limited, in that the articles relate to workers, including migrant workers, and things which affect workers. We reached consensus on the need to promote convergence which marks a major change, improvement and development within the Community but this has not been recognised by people generally. This perhaps is understandable. The coming together of the member states to consider the developments taking place in the context of the Single Market represents a new beginning.
One of the concerns expressed was that on the completion of the Single Market there would be a reduction in the real value of social welfare benefits within some member states but the member states are committed to trying to avoid this. In relation to the development of the rest of the system, I felt that it was very important that we hold such a meeting. I found that I could consider these matters within the OECD or the Council of Europe but that it was not possible to do so within the EC.
As I indicated in my reply, new arrangments are being made. The Commission is going to propose new arrangements to enable member states to exchange information and develop an agreed set of objectives in developing social welfare systems which would recognise the demograhic changes taking place all over Europe, with particular reference to the elderly, lone parents and the unemployed. Much has been achieved as a result of getting this matter on to the table and focusing people's minds on it. I hope the Deputy will see the fruits of this in coming years.
The Minister has indicated that talks are still taking place, but would he not agree that the least that would be expected is a uniform method of payment? I appreciate that it would be difficult to devise a uniform welfare payment system in the light of the various socio-economic factors in member states, but can the Minister tell us if he has ever considered the one stamp rule which appears to be an irritant for so many returned emigrants?
That seems to be a separate matter.
I am glad the Deputy has raised that matter, so please do not stop him, a Cheann Comhairle. It has been buried for a long time but has now come up again for examination. The one stamp rule is a very sensitive issue in certain member states. We are very anxious to bring about some improvements in those arrangements and has been agreed to consider the matter further. The Commission brought forward suggestions and proposals but they were rejected and this matter has remained buried for years. However, in Ashford Castle it was back on the table and this is a good example of what has been achieved. The purpose in convening the informal Council of Ministers is to get the Ministers to talk about directives, the details of which have been worked out by the Commission, and to find out if some modifications are necessary, but one of the things they can do is to put new approaches and policies on the table. Our French colleagues started this process last year and we have advanced it considerably this year.
Deputy Byrne rose.
Let us not dwell unduly long on any question, it must clearly be to the disadvantage of other questions. A brief question from Deputy Ferris.
Did the Minister not express his regret at the Council of Ministers that it was they who removed the reference to social welfare recipients from the Social Charter, as originally agreed by both the Parliament and the Commission?
I tend to be more positive and to talk about the things I want to do and to get people's agreement on them. We obtained agreement.
Question No. 12 please.
Is the Minister in a position to make any written data available to the various spokespersons on the working documents which outline those areas where there is the greatest need for convergence?
I will send a copy of the Presidency Conclusions to the Deputy which give an indication of where we are going.
