Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the countries with whom Ireland has an arrangement or bilateral arrangement in respect of social welfare payments or supports; if expansion or extension is intended in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4909/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has social security agreements with seven countries Austria, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the USA and Switzerland. These agreements came into effect between 1989 and 1999, except for that with the UK which came into effect in 1971. Ireland also has a bilateral understanding with Quebec since 1 October 1994. In the case of Austria, Switzerland and the United Kingdom they have limited application as the EU regulations normally apply.

A revised social security agreement with Australia came into effect on 1 January 2006 and a similar review of the New Zealand agreement is currently being carried out by officials from my Department. An updated social security agreement with the UK providing for workers moving between Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands has been signed and it is hoped to have it ratified in the near future. It is also hoped to conclude an agreement with the Republic of Korea this year. It is intended, in due course, to consult with the relevant authorities in Canada, Quebec and the United States to examine the need for updating the provisions of these agreements.

There are no other plans at present to extend the number of countries with which Ireland has bilateral agreements on social security. However, the matter is kept under review by my officials and further consideration will be given to any case which is warranted by the number of persons who have worked both in Ireland and the other country.