Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, signed a Commencement Order which brought a Convention on Social Security with the UK into effect on 31 December. This ensures that Irish and British citizens’ social security rights and entitlements enjoyed under the Common Travel Area agreement are maintained, despite Brexit.

Under the terms of the Convention, all existing arrangements with regard to recognition of, and access to, social insurance entitlements will be maintained in both jurisdictions. This means that the rights of Irish citizens living in Ireland to benefit from social insurance contributions made when working in the UK and to access social insurance payments if resident in the UK and vice versa are protected. Ireland will extend the advantages of the agreement to EU citizens applying for Irish payments, in keeping with our EU obligations.

Irish and UK citizens will continue to be entitled to access social assistance schemes, including pensions and child benefit payments in either jurisdiction.

Further information is available in the Department of Social Protection press release.