Pat Carey
Question:565 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a reciprocal arrangement for social welfare entitlements exists between Ireland and New Zealand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18517/03]
Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
There is a reciprocal social security agreement between Ireland and New Zealand, which has been in force since 1 March 1994.
The main purpose of the agreement is to protect the pension rights of people who have worked in Ireland and who have also worked or resided in New Zealand. The agreement also deals with the social security status of workers who are sent on temporary assignments from Ireland to New Zealand and vice versa.
If a person does not have sufficient contributions paid or credited to qualify for an Irish pension, based on their Irish record alone, then periods of residence in New Zealand may be counted to help him or her qualify for an Irish pension. Likewise, if a person does not have sufficient periods of residence in New Zealand to qualify for a New Zealand pension, reckonable Irish social insurance contributions may be counted to help him or her qualify for a New Zealand pension.
The payments covered by the agreement are:
Ireland: old age contributory pension; retirement pension; survivor's (widows and widowers) contributory pension; orphan's contributory allowance; and invalidity pension.
New Zealand: national superannuation; invalid's benefit; widow's benefit; domestic purposes benefit for widowers; veteran's pension; and orphan's benefit