Vol. 438 No. 2
63 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of his achievement in securing bilateral social security agreements with a number of countries, and subsequent to free elections and diplomatic accreditation to South Africa, he will establish a similar agreement with that country.
I am pleased to say that to date I have successfully concluded Social Security Agreements with Austria, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States of America and Quebec. These agreements have real and tangible benefits for Irish pensioners who have worked in these countries and also for Irish employers.
Negotiations are currently under way in respect of agreements with Switzerland and the Channel Islands respectively. It is expected that these negotiations will be successfully concluded this year.
The primary purpose of the bilateral Social Security Agreements which Ireland enters into is to protect the pension rights of Irish people who have worked and paid social security both in Ireland and abroad. The agreements also benefit Irish companies who send workers abroad on temporary assignments, in that social security is generally payable only in the sending country.
The establishment of a Social Security Agreement with another country is a painstaking and slow process. Priority is given to countries where there has been a tradition of migration. I will shortly be drawing up a new list of priorities in this area and will keep the Deputy's interest in this matter in mind.
