The social security rights of people living and working in the EU, including the UK, are governed by EU Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72. The Regulations co-ordinate social security systems and are designed to ensure that people are not disadvantaged by moving within the EU to take up work.
This is achieved primarily by setting out rules as to which State's social security system will pay contributions to when, for example, the person moves from one Member State to another to take up work, or where the person lives in one State and works in another. In addition, the Regulations also set out rules as to which State will pay benefit in the event of the usual contingencies arising, e.g. sickness, unemployment, old-age etc.
In addition, Ireland has separate bilateral social security Agreements with the United Kingdom dating back to the 1960s which have been consolidated and updated as required.
The current Agreement which came into effect on 1 October 2007, provides for the repeal of the previous agreements which had been superseded by EU Regulations. Provision was made to extend social security protection for migrant workers moving between Ireland and the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands which are outside the EU. The Agreement not only protects pension entitlements, but also protects entitlement to certain short term payments, for example, unemployment and sickness.
The agreement is currently in operation and working satisfactorily.