Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1138. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position in relation to child benefit payments to EU citizens whose children reside elsewhere in the EU in the context of the UK post-Brexit; if such payments have been discontinued in respect of UK citizens resident in Ireland whose children are residing in the UK; if the estimated full year cost in respect of this cohort of recipients will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40430/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Social security co-ordination across the EU and the EEA is governed by Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the coordination of social security systems.

The Department of Social Protection agreed a reciprocal agreement in the field of social security with the UK under the Common Travel Area arrangements.This agreement, known as the Convention on Social Security, mirrors the social security provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 so as to maintain the status quo post-Brexit.This means that under the terms of the Convention, Irish and British citizens living in either country will maintain the right to benefit from social insurance contributions made when working in either country and to access social insurance payments, including Child Benefit, on the same basis as prior to Brexit.Accordingly, there are no changes to the receipt of Child Benefit payments as a result of Brexit.

The measures designed to maintain access to social insurance payments do not give rise to any Exchequer costs over and above those that would have arisen had the UK remained in the EU.In 2020, the cost of child benefit payments where Ireland has primary competence and the child resides in the UK was approximately €3.9 million.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.