How the EU Regulations on Social Security can remove obstacles to migration by protecting entitlements and access to services
Dublin, 15 September, 2011
Mercy International Centre, 64a Lr Baggot St. Dublin, 9.30am - 4pm
This year Ireland has been chosen to host a National Seminar of TRESS, Training and Reporting on European Social Security (see www.tress-network.org). These siminars provide a forum for the exchange of updated information, and experiences on the EU Social Security regulations and their implementation.
Seminar Theme
The main focus on this seminar will be on raising awareness of the protection provided by the EU Regulations for social security entitlements and access to services. The main seminar topics will include:
The rights under the EU Regulations of
- Emigrants from Ireland to other countries
- Immigrants from other EU countries staying or resident in Ireland, and returning emigrants, and
any significant difficulties being experienced by migrants in realizing these rights, to include exchanges of good practice.
Why a seminar on this theme in Ireland?
Due to the current severe economic and fiscal downturn, there has been a significant increase in the migration of Irish nationals out of Ireland, after a period when there was little such emigration. This trend is projected to continue in the coming years. Most of the emigration to EU countries is to the UK. In addition, after a period of high immigration into Ireland, many immigrants are returning to their countries of origin, mainly to Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, but significant numbers are choosing to stay in Ireland.
Seminar Participants
Given the rapid changes in the nature and scale of migration out of Ireland, and the introduction of revised EU Regulations, priority is being given to inviting organizations representing migrants to the seminar to provide them with information on the rights of migrants under the regulations and their implementation, and to get feedback from them on difficulties being experienced. The migrant organisations to be involved will not only include those based in Ireland, but also from corresponding organisations in other Member States, specifically the UK, Poland, Czech Republic , Latvia and Lithuania.
Government officials and other experts who usually have been attending the National Seminars will also be invited, together with officials from certain other countries.
Format
In the morning session there will be presentations by EU Experts, broadly focused on rights under the EU Regulations, and updates on recent developments, including on the case law of the European Court of Justice. Time will be allocated for questions and answers after each presentation.
The afternoon will be devoted almost exclusively to exchanges on difficulties being experienced in realizing the rights of migrant workers under the Regulations and on good practice. Participants will initially divide into discussion groups on topics chosen at registration. This will be followed by a general discussion in a concluding plenary session. The experts will be available to deal with any issues that arise in relation to their areas of expertise.
Experts
There will be two experts from the EU Commission, one expert for TRESS, and an outside expert.
Further Information
For further information see the programme contact Gerry Mangan by email mangan42@gmail.com.
