Vol. 399 No. 3
37 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether, in light of the continuing high level of emigration and the difficulties being experienced by emigrants in searching for and finding both work and accommodation abroad, he will allow payment of social welfare to continue to the unemployed for a period of four weeks after their departure.
Under EC Regulations on Social Security a person who is in receipt of unemployment benefit in this country for a minimum of four weeks prior to his/her departure may continue to receive unemployment benefit for a maximum of three months while looking for work in another EC member state. Payment is made in the currency of and, in accordance with, the administrative procedures of the other EC state. These arrangements do not apply to unemployment assistance. Legislation prohibits the payment of unemployment assistance outside the State.
As far as non-EC countries are concerned, the programme of bilateral agreements which is currently under way is aimed primarily at reciprocity in respect of long-term payments such as old age, survivors and invalidity. Reciprocity in respect of short-term payments in respect of sickness and unemployment presents certain technical and legal difficulties which are complex and would slow down the completion and implementation of the agreements. I have, therefore decided to concentrate initially in achieving reciprocity in the pensions area. I will, however, keep the situation, as regards the inclusion of short-term payments, under review in the context of the further development of any programme of bilateral agreements with the non EC countries.
