Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the bilateral agreements with the objective of identifying those countries with which the arrangement is most satisfactory, those with which it is least satisfactory and identifying a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5550/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number and location of countries with which his Department has a bilateral agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5551/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.

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 covers the Isle of Man and Channel Islands and came into effect on 1st October 2007. Ireland also has a bilateral understanding with Quebec since 1 October 1994. In the cases of Austria and Switzerland the agreements have limited application as the EU Regulations normally apply in these cases. An agreement with the Republic of Korea was signed on 31st October 2007 and it is hoped to complete the necessary steps to bring it into effect within the next few months. 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.

All of these agreements are currently in operation and are generally working satisfactorily. However, the time taken to process claims that fall to be examined under bilateral agreements can be longer than that for standard Irish entitlements, reflecting the added complexity that arises in determining entitlements under these agreements.

Liaison procedures to ensure the secure transfer of personal data have been established with each country and are kept under constant review. Regular contact is made with the appropriate agencies to ensure the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of transfer of the information required to decide on claims. Where particular delays occur in the exchange of information, every effort is made to minimise processing times, while the overriding objective in dealing with these claims is to ensure that people receive their full and correct entitlements. Delays in processing applications do not ultimately result in any losses to pensioners in that those who qualify for payment have their claims backdated fully in accordance with the normal regulations for backdating pension claims. I am satisfied that overall the procedures are working effectively and efficiently.