Vol. 486 No. 1
684 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposed international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department which are currently being negotiated or prepared; in each case the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement is being negotiated; whether it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement if adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1025/98]
685 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department which have been signed but not ratified or acceded to by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; whether it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement; if so, when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1040/98]
686 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department to which his attention has been drawn and which have not been signed by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; whether it is proposed to sign the agreement; if so, when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1055/98]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 684, 685 and 686 together.
There are a series of international agreements and Conventions relating to social security which it is open to Ireland to become a party to or to ratify. Details relating to the main such instruments follow. A list of the other instruments will be supplied to the Deputy, together with information on the position on ratification-agreement, as appropriate.
The European Code of Social Security, drawn up by the Council of Europe, lays down minimum standards in this field. The code was opened for signature on 16 April 1964. Ireland has ratified the code and accepted five parts relating to sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, old age benefit, family benefit and survivor's benefit respectively. It has not been possible to date to ratify the remaining four parts dealing with medical care, employment injury benefit, maternity benefit and invalidity benefit, but these parts are subject to review to establish whether ratification has become possible. A revised code was opened for signature by member states of the Council of Europe on 6 November 1990. Ireland has not signed nor ratified this revised code, to date.
Ireland has ratified a similar ILO Convention No. 102 concerning minimum standards of social security on 17 June 1968, and accepted parts of the Convention relating to sickness benefit, unemployment benefit and survivor's benefit. A similar review procedure in relation to its unratified parts — medical care, old age benefit, employment injury benefit, family benefit, maternity benefit and invalidity benefit — applies as in the case of the European code.
Detailed provisions for the co-ordination of social security schemes throughout the European Union and European economic area are contained in Council regulations (EEC) Nos. 1408/71 and 574/72. These regulations provide for the co-ordination of social security schemes for employed and self-employed people and their families moving throughout the European Union and the European economic area. They also cover refugees, stateless persons who are residing in an EU/EEA member state as well as members of their family, regardless of their nationality, and their survivors.
The Council of Europe's European Convention on Social Security was opened for signature by the member states of the Council of Europe on 14 December 1972, and was signed by Ireland on 23 February 1979.
The Convention is designed to ensure, in each ratifying country, equality of treatment in social security for nationals of other ratifying countries and for refugees and stateless persons and also to ensure that entitlements to social security benefits is maintained despite changes of residence within such countries.
