Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 6

Written Answers. - Extension of Social Welfare Benefit to us Pensioners.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

98 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an agreement has been concluded in his negotiations with the US Government to extend social welfare benefit to US pensioners and others resident in this country; and if so, when the agreement will be implemented.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

99 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the Irish/US bilateral arrangement on social welfare entitlements is expected to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.

A bilateral agreement on social security between Ireland and the United States of America was signed by the Minister for Social Welfare on 14 April 1992.

Under the Constitution the text of this agreement is subject to Dáil approval and I will be moving the necessary motion to seek this approval shortly.

However, there are also legal and constitutional matters which have to be completed on the US side before the agreement can be brought into force in that country. I understand that the US arrangements are nearing completion. When they have been completed the agreement provides that instruments of approval, indicating that all constitutional and legal matters have been completed by both sides must be exchanged. The agreement will then come into operation on the first day of the third month following this exchange. At this stage the likely operative date is 1 September 1993.

When the agreement comes into operation it is estimated that in the first year some 1,500 persons will qualify for pensions from the US and from Ireland under its provisions and that this number will increase each year as more people become eligible. In addition some 3,500 persons who are currently receiving US pensions in Ireland will become entitled to the free schemes operated by my Department.

This will be the fourth agreement which I have introduced to protect the social security rights of our migrant workers who have worked or resided in countries outside the European Community. Agreements are already in place with Austria, Canada and Australia. I hope to sign two further agreements soon.