Ierland scherpt sociale wetgeving na uitbreiding van de Unie (en)

Immigrants in Ireland will not be able to claim welfare benefits until they have lived in country for two years under new rules announced yesterday (2 March).

The new rules will apply to all EU countries, except the UK, and are being put in place in response to a fear that several citizens from new member states will come to Ireland after enlargement on 1 May.

Social Affairs Minister Mary Coughlan said "the Government has decided to put in place a number of measures which will restrict access to qualification for certain social welfare payments by introducing a 'habitual residence test' which will act as an additional condition to be satisfied by a person claiming a social assistance payment or Child Benefit".

People who claim welfare payments but are not resident for two years "will be assisted to return home"

"I want to emphasise that these measures are being introduced to ensure our social welfare system does not become over burdened, it is a prudent and sensible measure", said Mrs Coughlan.

Ireland's move follows that of the UK - with which it shares a common travel space. Last month London annonced that from 1 May it would introduce two-year welfare restrictions.

While Ireland and the UK have said they will not restrict labour access, virtually all other countries in the EU have already said they will, or plan, to curb access to the work market after enlargement.

Under rules agreed by the current and new member states, access to the labour market may be restricted for up to seven years to citizens from central and eastern Europe.