Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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295. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has commissioned economic or regulatory impact assessments of the risks to sectors under the purview of her Department following the decision of the UK to exit the EU and the various types of future relationships that might result; if she will provide a copy of such studies conducted; the persons or body commissioned to conduct this research; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6304/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Contingency planning at both a domestic and an EU level is focused on three areas: preparing for a no-deal scenario or so-called “disorderly Brexit”; preparing for a transition period based on the “status quo”; and preparing for the future EU-UK relationship.

While the outcome of the December European Council and the move on to Phase 2 has lessened the likelihood of a disorderly Brexit, very detailed work on a no-deal or worst-case-scenario is advancing intensively through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade. This work is also informed by ongoing stakeholder engagement. Separately, a new preparedness unit in the Commission is considering EU-level responses.

All this work provides a baseline scenario for the policies and sectors impacted, which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations. In this regard, it is welcome that the direction of travel is now firmly towards achieving a “status quo” transition period. Agreement on a “status quo” transition will provide certainty to individuals and businesses while also aiming to avoid any cliff edge effects between the UK leaving the EU and a future relationship agreement coming into force. The period will provide time for businesses and citizenship to prepare for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU based on the outcome of the negotiations on the framework for the EU’s future relationship with the UK. In this respect, the expectation is that the European Council will adopt additional Guidelines at its meeting on 22-23 March 2018 on the framework for the future EU-UK relationship. These guidelines – as well as further clarity on the UK position, which has been sought by the European Council – will provide a clearer picture of the direction of travel in the negotiations.

The Government’s contingency planning continues to be firmly grounded in the extensive work and outreach that has already been undertaken by individual Departments and agencies, as well as by stakeholder organisations, academics and others. Much of this is in the public domain.

In relation to the areas under my remit, the key area of concern is the impact of Brexit on the current reciprocal arrangements for social insurance (which includes pensions) and social assistance (means tested schemes linked to residency rights) and child benefit between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland.

The Department is continuing its assessment of the implications of Brexit on these areas on a scheme-by-scheme and client basis. This is part of ongoing Brexit analysis and scenario planning for input into larger Government deliberative processes.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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296. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the additional budget for 2018 or other years provided to her Department and all agencies and bodies within her remit to plan or prepare for Brexit; the number of additional staff that have been recruited to work on this policy area in each body, agency and her Department; the number of dedicated staff planning and working on Brexit matters in each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6321/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Brexit Unit in the Department is led by an Assistant Secretary. The Unit has, at present, three 3 members of staff assigned to it, one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer and one Executive Officer.

In addition to the salary costs for the three members of staff referenced above, budgetary resources of €13,718 were assigned to this unit in 2017 and a further budget of €11,520 for 2018. Both staffing and funding requirements are being kept under continuous review.

The Citizens Information Board has allocated a budget of €19,306 to conduct research into the implications of Brexit for information provision.

Officials from across the Department and the Agencies also feed into the work of the Unit if and when required.