Written answers

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Brexit Issues

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to expedite the analysis being conducted by her Department on the impact of Brexit and reciprocal arrangements in view of the increased uncertainty regarding Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53325/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My key area of interest 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 dedicated team in my Department continues to conduct a deep analysis of all possible scenarios on a scheme by scheme basis and contingency planning is ongoing for all outcomes, including a no-deal or worst-case outcome.

It is important to note that the 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.

The maintenance of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements is one of the Government’s four Brexit priorities. The importance of maintaining the CTA was acknowledged in Prime Minister May’s letter of 29 March 2017 triggering Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union, the Joint EU / UK Progress report agreed at the European Council on 15 December 2017, and is provided for in the Draft Agreement on the withdrawal of the UK as endorsed by EU leaders on 25 November 2018.

I met with the then UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Right Honourable Esther McVey, on 23 April 2018. We agreed on our objective in 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 CTA, are safeguarded and maintained.

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