Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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503.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has spoken formally with her United States counterpart to date in 2024. [25572/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Strengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Government, as well as in our Strategy for the US and Canada (2019-2025).

While I have not been in contact with my US counterpart directly, I travelled to the US for St Patrick's this year, where I had meetings at the Illinois State Capital Building. I look forward to engaging with the US Administration on issues as they arise and in particular on our bilateral social security agreement.

Officials from my Department are in contact with their counterparts in the United States Social Security Administration and visits between them occur from time to time, in respect of the bilateral social security agreement in place and other matters of mutual interest.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.