Social Welfare Payments Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 January 2016

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Questions (42)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

42. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the exchange rate she uses when assessing income from employees who are working in Northern Ireland and who are being assessed for eligibility for social protection payments in the Republic of Ireland; the steps she takes to ensure that a fair exchange rate is used so that people receive appropriate allowance payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2411/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

In assessing means deriving from payments received from non-Euro countries, the Department uses the conversion mechanism provided for under Article 107 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 574/72 on Social Security for Migrant Workers. The exchange rates for converting sterling and other non-Euro currencies are published quarterly in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Under this mechanism, the conversion rate used for means testing purposes is derived from the average of the daily exchange rates in the first month of a quarter. This rate is then used in all conversions during the course of the succeeding quarter. Alternatively, the conversion rate applicable to the next succeeding quarter is used if it is more beneficial to the customer.