Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
247. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the restrictions on access to benefits and housing to be introduced in the UK, if similar measures will now be required here on 1 January when citizens of both Romania and Bulgaria will have completely free mobility throughout the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53177/13]
View answer248. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered recent suggestions from the British Prime Minister in relation to the issue of welfare tourism, specifically that it is the intention of the UK Government not to pay benefits to persons immigrating to the UK for the first three months and that, on approval for benefits, they would be paid for a maximum of six months; her plans to introduce similar measures here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52477/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together.
Free movement of workers and other citizens of the Union is a fundamental right granted by the EU Treaties and one which can bring benefits, economic and otherwise, to the individual and to the EU as a whole. Accordingly, it is something to be facilitated and encouraged. However, we must also ensure that the right of free movement is used for the right motives and is not abused through unjustified claiming of benefits. Restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian citizens accessing the Irish labour-market were lifted with effect from 1 January 2012 and so citizens of those countries are already entitled to live and work in Ireland. Restrictions on these citizens will be lifted in the UK and other countries from 1 January 2014.
The UK recently announced a series of measures in relation to the welfare entitlements of EU migrants. These include a ban on EU migrants receiving out-of-work benefits for the first three months of residence and restrictions on the claiming of jobseeker's allowance for more than six months, unless a person can prove that they have made serious efforts to secure employment and that they have a genuine prospect of securing work. In relation to the former, under the EU Residence Directive, member states already have the right to refuse support under their social assistance systems to certain migrants for the first three months of residence.
Access to social assistance payments in Ireland is subject to the habitual residence condition. Accordingly, those receiving such payments are deemed to have established their centre of interest in Ireland and to have significant contacts with the country. As well as satisfying habitual residence conditions a person claiming jobseeker’s allowance must, inter alia, be available for and genuinely seeking full-time employment. Any person who does not satisfy these conditions will not receive a jobseeker’s allowance payment.
I am satisfied that the provisions of the Irish welfare system, and EU regulations in this area, are being used to the fullest extent possible to deter unjustifiable claiming of benefits in this country. I am not proposing any changes in practises here at present but I will continue to monitor developments here and in the UK and other countries, with a view to establishing potential implications and learning for this jurisdiction.
