Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
358. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to ensure that all eligible persons can access the treatment benefit scheme under the Social Welfare (Convention on Social Security between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Order 2020. [19081/23]
View answerIt is understood from clarification received from the Deputy that her constituent would like clarification from the Minister on their Treatment Benefit entitlements under the Social Welfare (Convention on Social Security between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Order 2020.
The Convention came into effect on the 31st December 2020. Its main purpose is to ensure that the social security rights and entitlements enjoyed by Irish and British citizens under the Common Travel Area arrangements are continued from 1 January 2021 onwards.
Under the terms of the Convention, all prior existing arrangements with regard to recognition of, and access to, social insurance entitlements will be maintained in both jurisdictions. This means that the rights of Irish citizens living in Ireland are to benefit from social insurance contributions made when working in the UK and to access social insurance payments if resident in the UK, and vice versa for UK citizens, are protected.
The Irish social insurance benefits covered under the Convention includes the Treatment Benefit scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
