Vol. 455 No. 2
153 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the international treaties and conventions he intends to sign; the number that have been signed; the number that have been signed but not ratified; the number signed which have been ratified but have not been put into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12009/95]
Ireland has concluded bilateral social security agreements with Australia, Austria, Canada, New Zealand, United States and Quebec. All of these agreements have been put into operation. Ireland is currently negotiating social security agreements with Switzerland and the United Kingdom, in respect of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The proposed agreement with the United Kingdom covers non-EU nationals.
The main purpose of bilateral social security agreements is to protect the pension rights of workers who have had periods of social insurance in both countries. The agreements also allow workers who are sent by their Irish employer to work in the other State, for short periods, to remain in the Irish social insurances system, thereby being exempt from double payment of social security contributions.
