Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005

In short

This law, the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, brings together and organizes all the laws related to social welfare in Ireland. It covers various social insurance benefits and social assistance payments.

What it regulates

• The Social Insurance Fund, including its sources of money and how it spends on benefits.
• Different types of social welfare contributions (employed, self-employed, voluntary, and optional).
• Various social insurance benefits like Disability Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Unemployment Benefit, and Old Age (Contributory) Pension.
• Social assistance payments, such as Unemployment Assistance and Pre-Retirement Allowance.

Who it concerns

• Employed individuals, self-employed individuals, and those who make voluntary or optional social welfare contributions.
• People who may be entitled to receive social welfare benefits or assistance.

Key points

• The law details the conditions for receiving different benefits and assistance, such as entitlement criteria and duration of payment.
• It specifies the rates of benefits and how they can be increased for qualified adults and children.
• It outlines disqualifications for certain benefits.
• It includes provisions for occupational injuries benefits, covering accidents and prescribed diseases.