Single European Act and social welfare
Mitchell asks what changes the Single European Act may require for social welfare and whether EC citizens will receive home-country entitlements. Woods says worker social-security coordination is already in place, with no further statutory obligations anticipated, though occupational pensions and equality measures may develop.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, arising out of the Single European Act he will outline the requirements, if any, under the Act or any expectations he has of changes to our social welfare system to fall in line with the ideal of a single market by 1992.
Comment on this
The completion of the internal market requires that any obstacles to the freedom of movement of workers between member States are removed. In the area of social security this is already provided for and detailed regulations have been in operation for many years and have been fully implemented by my Department.
I do not anticipate any further obligations falling on us in the field of statutory social security schemes arising out of the completion of the internal market. However, measures may have to be taken in the field of occupational pension schemes but, as yet, no Commission proposals have been brought forward in this regard.
Comment on this
Is the Minister telling us that we will not have to offer to EC citizens the same entitlements they would receive at home after 1992?
Comment on this
I should say that the arrangements for social security are already in place. There are a number of questions that would remain, not because of the establishment of the single European market, but on account of further developments that may take place, particularly in relation to equality of treatment. For example, there are two measures in relation to equality of treatment whose provisions stipulate that women be treated no less favourably than men. The Deputy will be aware of one, which is the equal treatment provision which was implemented during his term as Minister in the previous Government. Another is the question of equality for women in occupational pension schemes which is at present being examined by the National Pensions Board with a view to having the appropriate legislation enacted within the deadline imposed by the relevant directive. The remaining question which arises in relation to equal treatment — and which will arise in future — is under discussion at present and has nothing to do with completion of the single European market, that is, widowers and the provision of pensions for them.