Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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479. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has received guarantees from the UK Government that the portability and payment of British pensions to older persons resident here will not be affected by the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union; the guarantees and measures which will be put in place to safeguard the financial security of Irish residents in receipt of UK pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38440/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It is important to note that social security arrangements between the UK and the EU27 have not changed. The future operation of arrangements will, of course, be determined as part of the complex process of negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU.

My key area of concern is the impact of Brexit on the current reciprocal arrangements for social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes and child benefit between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland. The importance of maintaining the Common Travel Area was acknowledged in Prime Minister May’s letter of 29 March 2017 triggering Article 50 of the TEU, the Joint EU/UK Progress report agreed at the European Council on 15 December 2017 and in the protocol to the draft Withdrawal Agreement published by the Commission on 28 February 2018. It has also been acknowledged in the technical paper issued by the UK Government on 13 September.

I met with the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Right Honourable Esther McVey, on Monday 23 April 2018. I emphasised my objective of ensuring that the reciprocity of social welfare rights and entitlements, which currently exist for Irish and UK citizens moving within Ireland and between Ireland and Britain under the Common Travel Area, are safeguarded and maintained. I am happy that we have a broad agreement to preserve the status quo in that regard.

I have a dedicated team in my Department which is conducting a deep analysis of scenarios on a scheme by scheme basis and contingency planning is ongoing for all outcomes, including a no-deal or worst-case outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.