asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the countries in respect of which reciprocal agreements on social insurance with this State operate; whether negotiations are proceeding with any other countries with a view to making such reciprocal agreements; and, if so, the countries concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reciprocal Social Insurance Agreements.
67.
Mr. Ryan
There are reciprocal agreements on social insurance with Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative and the third part does not, therefore, arise.
Mr. Ryan
Has the Minister under consideration, even for the future, any possible negotiations of the type referred to in the question, particularly having regard to the possibility of this country becoming more closely associated with members of the European Economic Community?
At the moment it is not considered that the movement of workers between this country and other countries is sufficient to warrant arrangements on these lines.
68.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the terms of the Anglo-Irish agreement on reciprocal payment of social welfare benefits to Irish residents who qualify for British benefit; why such persons are debarred from British increases as granted from time to time; and if he will negotiate with the British Government to amend the agreement.
I take it that the Deputy has in mind the refusal of the British authorities to pay persons living in this country the increases in British retirement pensions granted subsequent to their leaving Great Britain or, where they lived here when awarded pension, subsequent to the date of award. This restriction does not relate only to persons living in this country but is applied by the British authorities to persons living in all countries outside the United Kingdom except where reciprocal agreements otherwise provide.
There are no reciprocal arrangements with Great Britain in regard to pensions but, as I stated in reply to a question on 5th March last I hope to be able to arrange for preliminary discussions in the matter with the British authorities in the near future. However, even if an agreement on reciprocal arrangements involving British retirement pensions and Irish old age (contributory) pensions can be reached, it does not necessarily follow that it will include the removal of the British restriction on the payment of increases in pensions to persons in this country; similar restrictions continue to apply in a number of countries having reciprocal arrangements with Great Britain including even some Commonwealth countries.