Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

492. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline Ireland's position on taking unemployment benefits to another EU country, currently set at three months; if Ireland supports a European Commission proposal to extend this up to six months; Ireland's position on these negotiations at European level to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13184/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Social welfare entitlements for people moving around the EU to live or work are regulated by EU regulations on the coordination of social insurance systems. Amongst other things, these regulations allow those who wish to go to another EU country to look for employment to continue to receive their unemployment benefits for up to 3 months. While the regulations provide that Member States may extend this period to six months, Ireland does not operate this further concession.

As part of a series of measures to encourage and facilitate free movement of EU citizens across the Union, the EU Commission has proposed that the export period should be standardised at six months. Legislation to effect this change has not yet been formerly proposed by the EU Commission but it is expected that this will happen later this year.

It is important that unemployed people are assisted in their efforts to secure employment and in this regard the facility to export benefits is an important support for those who wish to look for a job in another EU country. However, I am not convinced that allowing export of benefits for an extra three months will improve the prospects of a person seeking employment abroad. Therefore, I will examine any forthcoming proposal that extends this period on a mandatory basis very carefully.