Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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As you may be aware the UK and Ireland state pension systems each operate under their respective rules and requirements as set out in national legislation and the systems are coordinated through the EU-UK Trade & Cooperation agreement to ensure that:

• Irish citizens living in Ireland can still benefit from social insurance contributions made while working in the UK, and vice versa
• EU citizens living in Ireland can use their social insurance contributions made when working in the UK to help them qualify for certain Irish social welfare payments
• Existing payments continue to be paid as before.

My Department administers more than 130 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. We are fully committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services available, and to ensuring key changes are communicated to them.

We provide information on the gov.ie platform in relation to the State Pension and this includes information in relation to social insurance paid in another country and on how to claim a pension if you have worked abroad.

The Citizens Information Board, which is funded by my Department, also has detailed information on their website including a dedicated section entitled: Returning to Ireland from the United Kingdom which includes information related to social contributions and pensions.

I would encourage anyone who has worked in the UK to contact the relevant agencies to see if they may have an entitlement.

We will continue to provide information about pensions on our site gov.ie, through our face to face engagement with customers and through our social media channels.