Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1028. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Irish-Australian social security agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15533/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has negotiated Bilateral Social Security Agreements with a number of counties including Australia.  The main purpose of these Agreements is to protect the pension rights of people who have worked and paid social security contributions in Ireland and the countries with which Ireland has such agreements.

Time spent working in Australia would be reckonable in Ireland for pension purposes, under the Bilateral Agreement, but it does not cover short-term schemes and associated educational supports.  

If the customer is available for and genuinely seeking work it remains open to them to make an application for Jobseeker's Allowance which may be payable subject to the assessment of means.  The customer could make contact with their nearest Intreo Centre or Branch Office to establish their entitlements and the range of services available. 

If the Deputy is in a position to provide my office with the specific details of the person, I will ask the officials in my Department to have the matter examined. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.