Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which bilateral social welfare agreements with other jurisdictions have been reviewed; if same will be reviewed within the context of improving or enhancing entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41029/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has social security agreements with Austria, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Most of the agreements came into effect between 1989 and 1999. The Agreement with the Republic of Korea came into effect on 1 January 2009. 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 now apply to these countries.

An agreement with Japan was signed on 29 October 2009 and it is envisaged that the remaining formalities will be completed to enable it come into effect before end 2010. The agreements with UK and Australia are the only agreements which have been revised. The current Agreement with the UK, which came into effect on 1 October 2007, provided for the repeal of previous agreements which had been superseded by EU Regulations. Provision was made to extend social security protection for migrant workers moving between Ireland and the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands which are outside the EU. The agreement with Australia was revised mainly to accommodate changes in Australian legislation. The process also facilitated technical updates on the Irish side (changes of scheme names etc.), but no substantive change was required.

Revisions to the agreement with New Zealand are currently being negotiated. The New Zealand authorities are examining the impact on Bilateral agreements of changes to their national legislation. The changes being considered on the Irish side are similar to the technical updating made in the revision of the agreement with Australia. These agreements are working well and meeting their intended purposes. Revision of the substantive provisions on the Irish side are not considered necessary at present.