Dan Boyle
Question:54 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the policy implications of the recent successful social welfare appeal in favour of workers in dispute at a company (details supplied) in County Cork. [17889/03]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.
On accession to the European Union on 1 May 2004, the existing EU legislation on the co-ordination of social security systems will apply to the ten new member states. This legislation provides for the aggregation of periods of insurance on employment of people moving within the EU and ensures that they do not suffer disadvantages in their social security rights. The legislation, contained in Regulation 1408/71, supersedes and replaces any prior bilateral agreement.
There are currently no bilateral agreements on social security between Ireland and any of the accession countries, and in light of the above, the question of introducing any such agreement does not arise.