Willie O'Dea
Ceist:419. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the areas under his remit which may be affected by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 28 February 2017
Ceisteanna (419)
Freagraí scríofa
In the context of the social protection remit, the key area of concern is the impact of Brexit on the current reciprocal arrangements for social insurance (which includes pensions) and social assistance (means tested schemes linked to residency rights) and child benefit between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland.
As with all EU Member States, Ireland and the UK are part of a system of social security coordination that sets down common rules to protect the social security rights of people moving within Europe. These rules are provided for in very detailed Regulations [883/2004 and 987/2009]. They do not replace national systems with a single European one but, rather, provide a bridge between national systems to ensure social security protection for people when moving within Europe – that is, the current EU28, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. This co-ordination prevents, for example, a person being left without protection or having double-coverage in a cross-border situation.
The following table details the national legislation to which the EU rules on social security coordination apply and the Irish benefits classified under each heading:
|
Schemes |
Classification of Irish social welfare schemes-benefits |
|
Family Benefits |
Child Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Family Income Supplement, Back to Work Family Dividend, One-Parent Family Payment and Guardian’s Payment [non-contributory] |
|
Unemployment Benefits |
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
|
Old Age and Survivors Benefits |
State Pension [Contributory], Widow/er’s and Surviving Civil Partner’s [Contributory] Pension, Guardian’s Payment [Contributory] |
|
Invalidity Benefits |
Invalidity Pension, Partial Capacity Benefit |
|
Sickness and Maternity Benefits |
Illness Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Health and Safety Benefit, Adoptive Benefit, Carer’s Benefit, Treatment Benefit |
|
Benefits in respect of accidents at work and occupational diseases |
Incapacity Supplement, Constant Care Allowance |
|
Applicable Social Security Legislation – posted workers |
For example, liability for social security contributions where a person - Has been posted from Ireland to the UK or vice versa; - Is concurrently employed or self-employed in Ireland and the UK |
The Department is continuing an assessment of the implications of Brexit on these areas on a scheme-by-scheme and client basis. This is part of ongoing Brexit analysis and scenario planning for input into larger Government deliberative processes. Clearly, however, undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the social protection implications of Brexit will, inevitably, be informed by the UK’s intentions in this area. Free movement of EU workers and citizens was one of the central issues involved in the debates leading up to the UK vote to leave the EU. Therefore, the potential social protection implications of that vote are intrinsically linked to the issues involved in the free movement of EU workers and citizens. Until such time as the UK has itself decided what relationship it wishes to have with the EU following its withdrawal, the precise implications of Brexit for the Department of Social Protection will remain unclear.
I can assure the Deputy that my focus, and that of my Department, is on ensuring that these social welfare rights and entitlements, which currently exist for Irish and UK citizens moving within the Common Travel Area on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain, can be safe-guarded.