Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of countries with which Ireland currently has bilateral social welfare arrangements; the extent to which the process is working effectively and efficiently in either direction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37965/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has social security agreements with 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 has had a bilateral understanding with Quebec since 1 October 1994. All these agreements are in operation and are working satisfactorily. The main purpose of the agreements is to protect the social security pension rights of workers who have worked both in Ireland and the other country to which the agreement applies. In the case of certain countries they have limited application as the EU Regulations normally apply in these cases. Liaison procedures have been established with each country and are kept under constant review. Regular contact is made with the appropriate agencies to ensure the smooth transfer of the necessary information required to decide on claims. At present, no significant difficulties are being experienced in relation to any of the agreements. For all schemes, the time taken to process claims that fall to be examined under bilateral agreements is longer than that for standard Irish entitlements, reflecting the added complexity that arises in determining entitlements under these agreements. While every effort is made to minimise processing times, the overriding objective in dealing with these claims is to ensure that people receive their full entitlements. I am satisfied that overall the procedures are working effectively and efficiently.