Social Welfare Act, 1986

What is this act about?

This law, the Social Welfare Act, 1986, updates and expands existing social welfare legislation. It primarily focuses on adjusting the rates of various social welfare benefits and contributions.

Who it applies to: Individuals receiving social insurance benefits (e.g., unemployment, disability, maternity, old age, widow's, orphan's benefits); Individuals receiving social assistance payments (e.g., unemployment assistance, deserted wife's allowance, old age pension).

Deadlines:

Disqualification periods for disability, injury, or disablement benefit are extended from "6 weeks" to "9 weeks".

At a glance

Country: Ireland
Area of law: Family law
Articles: 24
Source: irishstatutebook.ie
Text retrieved: 2026-06-17
Explanation updated: 2026-07-07

What does this act regulate?

New rates for social insurance benefits.
New rates for social assistance payments.
Changes to family income supplement rules.
Adjustments to pay-related social insurance contributions and exemptions.

Who does this act apply to?

Individuals receiving social insurance benefits (e.g., unemployment, disability, maternity, old age, widow's, orphan's benefits).
Individuals receiving social assistance payments (e.g., unemployment assistance, deserted wife's allowance, old age pension).
Employers, regarding social insurance contributions and exemptions.

What are the key points?

Social insurance benefits and social assistance payments are updated with new rates, effective on various dates in May, July, and April 1986.
The family income supplement entitlement threshold is increased from "£18" to "£20".
The calculation for family income supplement changes from "25 per cent." to "one-third" of the difference between income and the threshold, and specific amounts for children are increased from "£8" to "£10" and "£2.50" to "£4".
The earnings ceiling for pay-related social insurance contributions is increased to "£14,700".
Employers participating in the Employers' Pay-Related Social Insurance Exemption Scheme may be exempt from certain contributions for additional employees from April 6, 1986, to April 5, 1987.
Disqualification periods for disability, injury, or disablement benefit are extended from "6 weeks" to "9 weeks".
A day of holiday leave paid by an employer will not be considered a day of incapacity for work for an insured person.

Family law

Social Welfare Act, 1987

Adoption Act, 1976

Family Law Act 2019

Family Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1997

Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters) Records, and Another Matter, Act 2020

Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017

Child and Family Agency (Amendment) Act 2021

Family law

Legal text

Contents (24)

Social Welfare Act, 1986 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 1986 Social Welfare Act, 1986 Social Welfare Act, 1986 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 8 of 1986 SOCIAL WELFARE ACT, 1986 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section

Section 1

Definitions.

Section 2

Social insurance benefits (new rates).

Section 3

Social assistance payments (new rates).

Section 4

Family income supplement.

Section 5

Amendment of section 73 of Principal Act (pay-related benefit).

Section 6

Pay-related social insurance contributions (increase in earnings ceiling).

Section 7

Amendment of section 65 of Principal Act (employment contributions).

Section 8

Exemption from payment of contributions etc.

Section 9

Disqualifications for disability benefit, injury benefit or disablement benefit.

Section 10

Amendment of section 18 of Principal Act (title to benefit).

Section 11

Weekly rate of maternity allowance.

Section 12

Amendment of section 39 of Principal Act (extension of meaning of references to accidents arising out of and in the course of employment).

Section 13

Amendment of section 42 of Principal Act (injury benefit).

Section 14

Amendment of section 48 of Principal Act (adjustments for successive accidents).

Section 15

Amendment of section 114 of Principal Act (inspectors).

Section 16

Amendment of section 143A of Principal Act (appointment and duties of social welfare officers).

Section 17

Child Benefit.

Section 18

Financing of health board expenditure.

Section 19

Amendment of section 29 of Principal Act.

Section 20

Evidential effect of certificate in prosecutions.

Section 21

Amendment of section 43 of Principal Act (disablement benefit).

Section 22

Restriction of provisions requiring laying of draft regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.

Section 23

Repeals.

Section 24

Short title, construction and collective citation.

SCHEDULE A SCHEDULE B SCHEDULE C SCHEDULE D Acts Referred to Health Act, 1970 1970, No. 1 Health Contributions Act, 1979 1979, No. 4 Protection of Employees (Employers Insolvency) Act, 1984 1984, No. 21 Redundancy Payments Act, 1967 1967, No. 21 Redundancy Payments Act, 1979 1979, No. 7 Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 1981, No. 1 Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1981 1981, No. 3 Social Welfare Act, 1982 1982, No. 2 Social Welfare Act, 1983 1983, No. 6 Social Welfare Act, 1984 1984, No. 5 Social Welfare Act, 1985 1985, No. 5 Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1985 1985, No. 14 Social Welfare Acts, 1981 to 1985 Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981 1981, No. 32 Number 8 of 1986 SOCIAL WELFARE ACT, 1986 AN ACT TO AMEND AND EXTEND THE SOCIAL WELFARE ACTS, 1981 TO 1985. [27th March, 1986] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

Definitions.

1.—In this Act— “the Act of 1984” means the Social Welfare Act, 1984 ; “the Act of 1985” means the Social Welfare Act, 1985 ; “the No. 2 Act of 1985” means the Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1985 ; “the Principal Act” means the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 .

Social insurance benefits (new rates).

2.— (1) (a) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for Parts I to V (inserted by the Act of 1985) of the Second Schedule thereto of the Parts set out in Schedule A to this Act. (b) This subsection shall come into operation— (i) in so far as it relates to unemployment benefit, on the 15th day of May, 1986, (ii) in so far as it relates to disability benefit, maternity allowance, injury benefit, disablement gratuity and disablement pension, on the 19th day of May, 1986, (iii) in so far as it relates to deserted wife's benefit, invalidity pension and retirement pension, on the 22nd day of May, 1986, and (iv) in so far as it relates to death benefit under section 50, 51 or 52 of the Principal Act, old age (contributory) pension, widow's (contributory) pension and orphan's (contributory) allowance, on the 23rd day of May, 1986.

(2)(a) The Principal Act is hereby further amended by the substitution for Parts I to V (inserted by subsection (1) (a) of this section of this Act) of the Second Schedule thereto of the Parts set out in Schedule B to this Act. (b) This subsection shall come into operation— (i) in so far as it relates to unemployment benefit, on the 10th day of July, 1986, (ii) in so far as it relates to disability benefit, maternity allowance, injury benefit, disablement gratuity and disablement pension, on the 14th day of July, 1986, (iii) in so far as it relates to deserted wife's benefit, invalidity pension and retirement pension, on the 17th day of July, 1986, and (iv) in so far as it relates to death benefit under section 50, 51 or 52 of the Principal Act, old age (contributory) pension, widow's (contributory) pension and orphan's (contributory) allowance, on the 18th day of July, 1986.

Social assistance payments (new rates).

3.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for Parts I and III (inserted by the Act of 1985) of the Fourth Schedule thereto of the Parts set out in Schedule C to this Act.

(2)This section shall come into operation— (a) in so far as it relates to unemployment assistance, on the 9th day of July, 1986, (b) in so far as it relates to deserted wife's allowance, prisoner's wife's allowance, social assistance allowance and single woman's allowance, on the 17th day of July, 1986, (c) in so far as it relates to old age pension, blind pension, widow's (non-contributory) pension and orphan's (non-contributory) pension, on the 18th day of July, 1986, and (d) in so far as it relates to supplementary welfare allowance, on the 14th day of July, 1986.

Family income supplement.

4.—(1) Section 232B (inserted by the Act of 1984) of the Principal Act (which relates to the entitlement to family income supplement) is hereby amended by the substitution for “£18” (inserted by the Act of 1985) of “£20”.

(2)Section 232C (inserted by the Act of 1984) of the Principal Act (which relates to the weekly rate of family income supplement) is hereby amended by— (a) the substitution in subsection (1) for “25 per cent.” of “one-third”, (b) the substitution in subsection (2) (a) for “£8” of “£10”, (c) the substitution in subsection (2) (b) for “£8” of “£10”, and for “£2.50” (inserted by the Act of 1985) of “£4”, and (d) the substitution for subsections (3) and (4) of the following subsection: “(3) In calculating the weekly rate pursuant to subsection (1), any fraction of £1 shall be treated as £1.”.

(3)This section shall come into operation on the 10th day of April, 1986.

Amendment of section 73 of Principal Act (pay-related benefit).

5.—(1) Section 73 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for “£49” (inserted by the Act of 1985) of “£58”.

(2)This section shall have effect in relation to any period of interruption of employment commencing on or after the 7th day of April, 1986.

Pay-related social insurance contributions (increase in earnings ceiling).

6.—(1) Section 10 (1) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for paragraph (c) (inserted by the Act of 1985) of the following paragraph: “(c) Where in a particular contribution year an employed contributor's reckonable earnings have amounted to the sum of £14,700 and contributions under paragraph (b) have been paid in respect of those reckonable earnings, no further such contribution shall be payable in respect of any reckonable earnings of that employed contributor in that contribution year.”.

(2)This section shall come into operation on the 6th day of April, 1986.

Amendment of section 65 of Principal Act (employment contributions).

7.—(1) Section 65 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in subsections (2) (a) (ii) and (2) (b) for “0.4 per cent.” (inserted by the Act of 1984) of “0.43 per cent.”.

(2)This section shall come into operation on the 6th day of April, 1986.

Exemption from payment of contributions etc.

8.—Any employer who, during the period commencing on the 23rd day of October, 1985, and ending on the 31st day of March, 1986, employed, under and by virtue of the scheme administered by the Department of Social Welfare and known as the Employers' Pay-Related Social Insurance Exemption Scheme, additional employees shall not, during the period commencing on the 6th day of April, 1986, and ending on the 5th day of April, 1987, be liable to pay in respect of additional employees who constitute a net increase in the employer's workforce under the scheme all or any of the following, namely— (a) the contribution specified in section 10

(1)(b) (ii) (as amended by the Social Welfare Act, 1982 ) of the Principal Act; (b) the employment contribution specified in subsection (2) (a) (ii), and the increase specified in subsection (2) (b), of section 65 (as amended by this Act) of the Principal Act; (c) the health contribution payable by an employer under section 5

(1)(b) of the Health Contributions Act, 1979 ; (d) the youth employment levy payable under section 16 (c) of the Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981 ; or (e) the employers' redundancy contribution payable under section 28 (inserted by section 3 of the Redundancy Payments Act, 1979 , and extended by section 2 of the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act, 1984 ) of the Redundancy Payments Act, 1967 .

Disqualifications for disability benefit, injury benefit or disablement benefit.

9.—(1) Section 23 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (1) for “6 weeks” of “9 weeks”.

(2)Section 61 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (1) for “6 weeks” of “9 weeks”.

Amendment of section 18 of Principal Act (title to benefit).

10.—Section 18 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after subsection (4) (e) of the following paragraph: “(f) a day shall not be treated in relation to an insured person as a day of incapacity for work if, in respect of that day, the insured person is being paid by his employer in respect of holiday leave.”.

Weekly rate of maternity allowance.

11.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by— (a) the substitution for section 26A (1) (inserted by the No. 2 Act of 1985) of the following subsection: “(1) Subject to subsection (2), the weekly rate of maternity allowance as specified in column (2) of Part I of the Second Schedule shall be increased by the appropriate amount set out in column (4), (4a), (5) or (5a) of Part I of the Second Schedule in respect of each qualified child who normally resides with the beneficiary.”, and (b) the insertion after section 26A of the following section: “Weekly rate of maternity allowance.

26B. (1) The weekly rate of maternity allowance payable to a woman entitled to maternity allowance under section 24

(2)(a) (inserted by the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1981 ) shall be an amount equal to— (a) the amount (as increased under section 26A) payable under section 26, or (b) the amount payable under this section, whichever is the greater.

(2)The amount of maternity allowance payable under this section shall be an amount equal to— (a) 70 per cent. of the reckonable weekly earnings of the woman to whom the allowance is payable in the income tax year prescribed for the purposes of this section, or (b) 70 per cent. of such amount as may be prescribed as the average reckonable weekly earnings of women in that year, whichever is the greater.

(3)The percentage specified in subsection (2) may be varied by regulations having regard to such matters as— (a) movements in the annual average earnings of women, and (b) the imposition or variation of statutory deductions from or charges on earnings.

(4)In this section ‘reckonable weekly earnings’ has the meaning specified in section 71.”.

(2)Section 3 (4) (a) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by— (a) the deletion of “75 (2),” (inserted by the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1981 ), and (b) the insertion after “19 (4),” of “26B,”.

(3)

Section 75

(inserted by the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1981 ) of the Principal Act is hereby repealed.

(4)Section 72 of the Principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution in subsection (1) (a) (inserted by the Social Welfare Act, 1983 ) for “maternity allowance” of “maternity allowance payable under section 24 (2) (b)”, and (b) by the substitution in subsection (2) (inserted by the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1981 ) for “maternity allowance” in each place where those words appear, of “maternity allowance under section 24 (2) (b)”.

(5)

Section 74

of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after subsection (2) (inserted by the Social Welfare Act, 1983 ) of the following subsection: “(3) For the purposes of this section, any day in respect of which a person is entitled to maternity allowance under section 24 (2) (a) shall be deemed to be a day of incapacity for work in respect of which the person was entitled to pay-related benefit and any day in respect of which a person is entitled to maternity allowance under section 24 (2) (b) shall be treated as a day of incapacity for work.”.

Amendment of section 39 of Principal Act (extension of meaning of references to accidents arising out of and in the course of employment).

12.—Section 39 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (4) of the following subsection: “(4) An accident happening to an insured person while travelling to or from his place of work shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, be deemed for the purposes of this Part to arise out of and in the course of his employment.”.

Amendment of section 42 of Principal Act (injury benefit).

13.—Section 42 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by— (a) the insertion in subsection (1) for “12 days” of “4 days”, and (b) the insertion after subsection (1) of the following subsection: “(1A) For the purposes of this section, a day shall not be treated in relation to an insured person as a day of incapacity for work if, in respect of that day, the insured person is being paid by his employer in respect of holiday leave.”.

Amendment of section 48 of Principal Act (adjustments for successive accidents).

14.—Section 48 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (1) (b) for “12 days”, in each place where those words occur, of “4 days”.

Amendment of section 114 of Principal Act (inspectors).

15.—Section 114 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by— (a) the substitution in subsection (4) (i) for “£500” of “£1,000”, and (b) the substitution in subsection (4) (ii) for “£2,000” of “£3,000”.

Amendment of section 143A of Principal Act (appointment and duties of social welfare officers).

16.—Section 143A (inserted by the Act of 1985) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (7) of the following subsection: “(7) The premises or places liable to inspection under this section are any premises or places where a social welfare officer has reasonable grounds for believing that— (a) persons are, or have been, employed, or (b) there are, or have been, self-employed persons, and any premises or place where a social welfare officer has reasonable grounds for believing that any documents relating to persons in employment or to self-employed persons are kept.”.

Child Benefit.

17.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by— (a) the substitution in the title to Part IV thereof for “CHILDREN'S ALLOWANCES” of “CHILD BENEFIT”, (b) the substitution in each of the sections specified in Schedule D to this Act for “children's allowances”, in each place where those words appear, of “child benefit”, (c) the substitution in sections 224 (4), 224 (5), 225 (2), 232 (1) (c), 300 (6) and 304 for “allowance”, in each place where that word appears, of “benefit”, (d) the substitution in section 231 (4) (b) for “an allowance” and “such allowance” of “a benefit” and “such benefit”, respectively, (e) the substitution in sections 225 (1), 225 (2) and 225 (5) for “monthly allowance” of “monthly benefit”, and (f) the substitution for Part IV (inserted by the Act of 1984) of the Fourth Schedule thereto of the following Part:— “PART IV Amounts of Child Benefit Amount for each of first five children Amount for each child in excess of five £15.05 £21.75 ”

(2)This section shall come into operation on the 1st day of April, 1986.

Financing of health board expenditure.

18.—(1) Section 134 (2) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the deletion of “, except supplementary welfare allowance,”.

(2)Section 218 is hereby amended by— (a) the substitution for subsection (9) (inserted by the Social Welfare Act, 1983 ) of the following subsection: “(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section— (a) the total amount to be paid under subsection (1) by all local authorities referred to in that subsection in respect of each of the years ending on 31st December, 1981, 31st December, 1982, 31st December, 1983, 31st December, 1984 and 31st December, 1985, and in respect of no other year, shall be such amount as may be prescribed for each such year by the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for the Environment, and the proportion of those amounts payable by each, such local authority in respect of each such year shall be that which the total expenditure on home assistance in the year ending 31st December, 1975, bears to the total expenditure by all local authorities refered to in subsection (1) on home assistance in that year; (b) the amount payable under subsection (3) by a local authority referred to in that subsection in respect of each of the years ending on 31st December, 1982, 31st December, 1983, 31st December, 1984 and 31st December, 1985, and in respect of no other year shall not exceed such amount as may be prescribed for that year by the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for the Environment and with the consent of the Minister for Finance.”, and (b) the insertion after subsection (9) (inserted by this section) of the following subsection: “(10) The Minister shall, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, make grants to health boards to defray all expenditure (including the costs of administration) of those boards on supplementary welfare allowance in the year ending on 31st December, 1986, and in each year thereafter, and, accordingly, so much of the preceding subsections of this section, other than subsection (9), as refer to the financing of health board expenditure on supplementary welfare allowance shall, on and after the commencement of the Social Welfare Act, 1986, cease to have effect.”.

Amendment of section 29 of Principal Act.

19.—Section 29 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by— (a) the substitution for subsection (4) (a) of the following paragraph: “(a) a day shall not be treated in relation to an insured person as a day of unemployment unless on that day he is capable of work and is, or is deemed in accordance with regulations to be, available for employment, and is genuinely seeking, but is unable to find, employment suitable for him having regard to his age, sex, physique, education, normal occupation, place of residence and family circumstances,”, and (b) the insertion after subsection (4) of the following subsection: “(4A) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (4), any period, not exceeding one year in duration, of— (a) employment under a scheme administered by the Department of Labour and known as the Social Employment Scheme, or (b) participation in a scheme administered by the Department of Labour and known as the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, or (c) participation in a scheme administered by the Department of Labour and known as the Alternance Scheme, or (d) attendance at a training course provided or approved of by An Chomhairle Oiliúna, or (e) employment under a scheme administered by the Department of Labour and known as Teamwork, shall be disregarded in treating, pursuant to subsection (4) (c), any two periods of interruption of employment not separated by more than 13 weeks as one period of interruption of employment.”.

Evidential effect of certificate in prosecutions.

20.—For the purposes of the institution of proceedings under Part II, Part III Chapter 2, Part III Chapter 3, Part III Chapter 4 or Part IV of the Principal Act, a certificate certifying the following facts, namely, that a person is an officer of the Minister and that he has been authorised under a special or general direction of the Minister to institute such proceedings, or that the Minister has consented to the institution of such proceedings, shall be sufficient evidence in any legal proceedings of the matters certified in the certificate, until the contrary is shown, and sections 116, 145, 168, 188 and 231 of the Principal Act shall be construed and have effect accordingly.

Amendment of section 43 of Principal Act (disablement benefit).

21.—(1) Section 43 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by— (a) the substitution for subsection (7) (b) (inserted by the No. 2 Act of 1985) of the following paragraph: “(b) The scale prescribed for the purposes of paragraph (a) shall be the same for all persons.”, (b) the substitution for subsection (8) (inserted by the No. 2 Act of 1985) of the following subsection: “(8) Where the extent of the disablement is assessed for the period taken into account as amounting to 20 per cent. or more, disablement benefit shall be a pension (in this Chapter referred to as a disablement pension) for that period at the weekly rate set out in column (2) of Part III of the Second Schedule appropriate to the degree of disablement: Provided that where the period is limited by reference to a definite date, the pension shall cease on the death of the beneficiary before that date.”, and (c) the substitution for subsection (9) (b) (i) (inserted by the No. 2 Act of 1985) of the following paragraph: “(i) the scale shall be the same for all persons,”.

(2)Subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the 19th day of May, 1986.

Restriction of provisions requiring laying of draft regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.

22.—Where the Minister revokes regulations made under section 5 (4), 5 (5), 10 (2), 12, 19 (3), 25 (2), 30 (3), 79 (6), 84 (2), 89 (3), 93 (3), 97 (2), 101 (3) or 108 (3) of the Principal Act and makes regulations which he certifies to be substantially to the like effect as the regulations so revoked, a requirement that a draft of the proposed regulations be laid before each House of the Oireachtas shall not apply.

Repeals.

23.—Section 43(10) (which relates to appeals against provisional assessment of the extent of disablement), section 47 (which relates to increase of disablement benefit during approved hospital treatment), section 56 (which relates to the limitation of benefits by pre-accident earnings) of the Principal Act and section 2 (which relates to the increase of social insurance rates) of, and the Second Schedule (which relates to rates of benefit) to, the No. 2 Act of 1985, are hereby repealed.

Short title, construction and collective citation.

24.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Social Welfare Act, 1986.

(2)The Social Welfare Acts, 1981 to 1985, and this Act shall be construed together as one and may be cited together as the Social Welfare Acts, 1981 to 1986.

SCHEDULE A

Section 2

. “Second Schedule Rates of Benefits

PART I

Rates of Periodical Benefits and Increases Thereof Description of benefit Weekly rate Increase for adult dependant (where payable) Increase for first qualified child (where payable) Increase for second qualified child (where payable) Increase for each of third, fourth and fifth qualified children (where payable) Increase for each qualified child in excess of five (where payable) Increase for prescribed relative under section 50 (11), 51 (2), 81 (3), 86 (3), 91 (3), 95 (2) or 103 (2) (where payable) Increase where the person has attained pensionable age and is living alone (where payable)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(4a)

(5)

(5a)

(6)

(7)£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1. (A) Disability Benefit and Unemployment Benefit 39.50 25.60 9.40 10.50 8.70 6.95 — — (B) Reduced rates of Unemployment Benefit: (a) person entitled to an increase in respect of a qualified child but not entitled to an increase in respect of an adult dependant 33.15 — 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — (b) any other person 32.75 23.65 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — 2. Maternity Allowance 39.50 — — — — — — — 3. Injury Benefit 54.35 25.60 9.40 10.50 8.70 6.95 — — 4. Death Benefit: (a) pension payable to a widow (section 50 (2)) or widower (section 50 (6))— (i) aged under 66 years 58.65 — 12.40 13.65 13.65 11.75 — — (ii) aged over 66 years 59.90 — 12.75 13.80 13.80 12.05 24.60 3.40 (b) pension payable to a parent, the deceased having been at death a married person, where the parent is— (i) aged under 66 years 26.15 — — — — — — — (ii) aged over 66 years 26.70 — — — — — 24.60 3.40 (c) pension payable to a parent, the deceased having been at death a widower, a widow or a single person— (i) where the parent is the father and was, at the death of the deceased, incapable of self-support by reason of some physical or mental infirmity and likely to remain permanently so incapable and is— (a) aged under 66 years 58.65 — — — — — — — (b) aged over 66 years 59.90 — — — — — 24.60 3.40 (ii) where the parent is the mother, having been, at the death of the deceased, a widow or having thereafter become a widow and is— (a) aged under 66 years 58.65 — — — — — — — (b) aged over 66 years 59.90 — — — — — 24.60 3.40 (iii) where the parent is the mother, not being a widow, and a pension at the rate set out at (i) above is not payable to her husband and she is— (a) aged under 66 years 58.65 — — — — — — — (b) aged over 66 years 59.90 — — — — — 24.60 3.40 (iv) in any other case where the parent is— (a) aged under 66 years 26.15 — — — — — — — (b) aged over 66 years 26.70 — — — — — 24.60 3.40 (d) pension payable to an orphan 30.90 — — — — — — — 5. Old Age (Contributory) Pension and Retirement Pension: (a) in the case of persons under the age of 80 years 51.40 32.80 10.60 11.70 9.75 8.00 24.60 3.40 (b) in any other case 54.90 32.80 10.60 11.70 9.75 8.00 24.60 3.40 (c) additional increase for an adult dependant who has attained pensionable age — 5.55 — — — — — — 6. Invalidity Pension: (a) where the person is aged under 66 years 45.30 29.40 10.45 11.50 9.55 7.75 24.60 — (b) where the person is aged over 66 years 46.20 30.00 10.60 11.70 9.75 8.00 24.60 3.40 7. Widow's (Contributory) Pension and Deserted Wife's Benefit in the case of persons: (a) aged under 66 years 46.25 — 12.40 13.65 13.65 11.75 — — (b) aged between 66 and 80 years 47.20 — 12.75 13.80 13.80 12.05 24.60 3.40 (c) aged over 80 years 50.35 — 12.75 13.80 13.80 12.05 24.60 3.40

8.Orphan's (Contributory) Allowance 29.25 — — — — — — —

PART II

Occupational Injuries Benefits—Gratuities and Grant £ 1. Disablement Benefit:

Maximum gratuity in the case of persons— (i) aged under 66 years 4,200 (ii) aged over 66 years 4,280 2. Death Benefit: (i) Widower's gratuity in the case of persons— (a) aged under 66 years 3,060 (b) aged over 66 years 3,120 (ii) Grant in respect of funeral expenses 220

PART III

Disablement Pension Degree of disablement Weekly rate

(1)

(2)Persons under the age of 66 years Persons over the age of 66 years £ £ 100 per cent 60.50 61.80 90 ” ”

54.45 55.62 80 ” ”

48.40 49.44 70 ” ”

42.35 43.26 60 ” ”

36.30 37.08 50 ” ”

30.25 30.90 40 ” ”

24.20 24.72 30 ” ”

18.15 18.54 20 ” ”

12.10 12.36

PART IV

Increases of Disablement Pension £ 1. Increase where the person is permanently incapable of work: in the case of persons— (a) aged under 66 years 39.50 (b) aged over 66 years 40.30 2. Increase where the beneficiary requires constant attendance: (a) limit of increase except in cases of exceptionally severe disablement where the person is— (i) aged under 66 years 24.20 (ii) aged over 66 years 24.60 (b) limit in any case where the person is— (i) aged under 66 years 48.40 (ii) aged over 66 years 49.20 ”

SCHEDULE B

Section 2.

“Second Schedule Rates of Benefits

PART I

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(4a)

(5)

(5a)

(6)

(7)£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1. (A) Disability Benefit and Unemployment Benefit 41.10 26.60 9.40 10.50 8.70 6.95 — — (B) Reduced rates of Unemployment Benefit: (a) person entitled to an increase in respect of a qualified child but not entitled to an increase in respect of an adult dependant 34.50 — 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — (b) any other person 34.05 24.60 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — 2. Maternity Allowance 41.10 — 9.40 10.50 8.70 6.95 — — 3. Injury Benefit 56.50 26.60 9.40 10.50 8.70 6.95 — — 4. Death Benefit: (a) pension payable to a widow (section 50 (2)) or widower (section 50 (6))— (i) aged under 66 years 61.00 — 12.40 13.65 13.65 11.75 — — (ii) aged over 66 years 62.30 — 12.75 13.80 13.80 12.05 25.60 3.55 (b) pension payable to a parent, the deceased having been at death a married person, where the parent is— (i) aged under 66 years 27.20 — — — — — — — (ii) aged over 66 years 27.75 — — — — — 25.60 3.55 (c) pension payable to a parent, the deceased having been at death a widower, a widow or a single person— (i) where the parent is the father and was, at the death of the deceased, incapable of self-support by reason of some physical or mental infirmity and likely to remain permanently so incapable and is— (a) aged under 66 years 61.00 — — — — — — — (b) aged over 66 years 62.30 — — — — — 25.60 3.55 (ii) where the parent is the mother, having been, at the death of the deceased, a widow or having thereafter become a widow and is— (a) aged under 66 years 61.00 — — — — — — — (b) aged over 66 years 62.30 — — — — — 25.60 3.55 (iii) where the parent is the mother, not being a widow, and a pension at the rate set out at (i) above is not payable to her husband and she is— (a) aged under 66 years 61.00 — — — — — — — (b) aged over 66 years 62.30 — — — — — 25.60 3.55 (iv) in any other case where the parent is— (a) aged under 66 years 27.20 — — — — — — — (b) aged over 66 years 27.75 — — — — — 25.60 3.55 (d) pension payable to an orphan 32.15 — — — — — — — 5. Old Age (Contributory) Pension and Retirement Pension: (a) in the case of persons under the age of 80 years 53.45 34.10 10.60 11.70 9.75 8.00 25.60 3.55 (b) in any other case 57.10 34.10 10.60 11.70 9.75 8.00 25.60 3.55 (c) additional increase for an adult dependant who has attained pensionable age — 5.80 — — — — — — 6. Invalidity Pension: (a) where the person is aged under 66 years 47.10 30.60 10.45 11.50 9.55 7.75 25.60 — (b) where the person is aged over 66 years 48.05 31.20 10.60 11.70 9.75 8.00 25.60 3.55 7. Widow's (Contributory) Pension and Deserted Wife's Benefit in the case of persons: (a) aged under 66 years 48.10 — 12.40 13.65 13.65 11.75 — — (b) aged between 66 and 80 years 49.10 — 12.75 13.80 13.80 12.05 25.60 3.55 (c) aged over 80 years 52.35 — 12.75 13.80 13.80

12.05 25.60 3.55 8. Orphan's (Contributory) Allowance 30.40 — — — — — — —

PART II

Occupational Injuries Benefits—Gratuities and Grant £ 1. Disablement Benefit:

Maximum gratuity in the case of persons— (i) aged under 66 years 4,370 (ii) aged over 66 years 4,450 2. Death Benefit: (i) Widower's gratuity in the case of persons— (a) aged under 66 years 3,180 (b) aged over 66 years 3,240 (ii) Grant in respect of funeral expenses 220

PART III

Disablement Pension Degree of disablement Weekly rate

(1)

(2)Persons under the age of 66 years Persons over the age of 66 years £ £ 100 per cent 62.90 64.30 90 ” ”

56.61 57.87 80 ” ”

50.32 51.44 70 ” ”

44.03 45.01 60 ” ”

37.74 38.58 50 ” ”

31.45 32.15 40 ” ”

25.16 25.72 30 ” ”

18.87 19.29 20 ” ”

12.58 12.86

PART IV

Increases of Disablement Pension £ 1. Increase where the person is permanently incapable of work: in the case of persons— (a) aged under 66 years 41.10 (b) aged over 66 years 41.90 2. Increase where the beneficiary requires constant attendance: (a) limit of increase except in cases of exceptionally severe disablement where the person is— (i) aged under 66 years 25.15 (ii) aged over 66 years 25.60 (b) limit in any case where the person is— (i) aged under 66 years 50.30 (ii) aged over 66 years 51.20 ”

SCHEDULE C

Section 3.

“Fourth Schedule Rates of Assistance

PART I

Rates of Periodical Social Assistance and Increases Thereof Description of assistance, pension or allowance Weekly rate or amount Increase for adult dependant (where payable) Increase for first qualified child (where payable) Increase for second qualified child (where payable) Increase for each of third, fourth and fifth qualified children (where payable) Increase for each qualified child in excess of five (where payable) Increase for prescribed relative under section 162(1) (a), 179(a), 195(2), 196(2) or 197(2) (where payable) Increase where the person has attained pensionable age and is living alone (where payable) Increase where the person has attained the age of 80 years (where payable)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(4a)

(5)

(5a)

(6)

(7)

(8)£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1. Unemployment Assistance:

A. Persons other than those at B:

(1)in the case of persons who, in any continuous period of unemployment as construed in accordance with section 135 (2), have been in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance for not less than 390 days: (i) for persons resident in any urban area 36.70 26.45 8.70 9.90 7.70 6.20 — — — (ii) for persons resident in any other place 35.50 25.80 8.70 9.90 7.70 6.20 — — —

(2)in the case of persons other than those at (1): (i) for persons resident in any urban area 34.05 24.60 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — — (ii) for persons resident in any other place 33.00 23.95 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — — B. Persons without an adult dependant and with one or more qualified children—

(1)in the case of persons who, in any continuous period of unemployment as construed in accordance with section 135 (2), have been in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance for not less than 390 days: (i) for persons resident in any urban area 37.00 — 8.70 9.90 7.70 6.20 — — — (ii) for persons resident in any other place 36.00 — 8.70 9.90 7.70 6.20 — — —

(2)in the case of persons other than those at (1): (i) for persons resident in any urban area 34.50 — 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — — (ii) for persons resident in any other place 33.50 — 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — — 2. Old Age Pension and Blind Pension 45.75 — 9.30 10.50 8.15 6.50 25.60 3.55 3.35 3. Widow's (Non-Contributory) Pension, Deserted Wife's Allowance, Prisoner's Wife's Allowance and Social Assistance Allowance for persons— (a) aged under 66 years 44.90 — 11.25 12.35 12.35 10.60 — — — (b) aged over 66 years 45.75 — 11.50 12.65 12.65 10.80 25.60 3.55 3.35 4. Orphan's (Non-Contributory) Pension 25.50 — — — — — — — — 5. Single Woman's Allowance 39.15 — — — — — — — — 6. Supplementary Welfare Allowance: (a) Persons other than those at (b) 33.00 23.95 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — — (b) Persons without an adult dependant and with one or more child dependants 33.50 — 8.15 9.30 7.25 5.80 — — —

PART III

Increase of Old Age Pension for a Spouse Means of claimant or pensioner Weekly rate of increase £ Where the weekly means of the claimant or pensioner do not exceed £6 23.00 exceed £6 but do not exceed £8 22.00 exceed £8 but do not exceed £10 21.00 exceed £10 but do not exceed £12 20.00 exceed £12 but do not exceed £14 19.00 exceed £14 but do not exceed £16 18.00 exceed £16 but do not exceed £18 17.00 exceed £18 but do not exceed £20 16.00 exceed £20 but do not exceed £22 15.00 exceed £22 but do not exceed £24 14.00 exceed £24 but do not exceed £26 13.00 exceed £26 but do not exceed £28 12.00 exceed £28 but do not exceed £30 11.00 exceed £30 but do not exceed £32 10.00 exceed £32 but do not exceed £34 9.00 exceed £34 but do not exceed £36 8.00 exceed £36 but do not exceed £38 7.00 exceed £38 but do not exceed £40 6.00 exceed £40 but do not exceed £42 5.00 exceed £42 but do not exceed £44 4.00 exceed £44 but do not exceed £46 3.00 exceed £46 but do not exceed £48 2.00 exceed £48 Nil ”

SCHEDULE D Amendments of Principal Act

Section 17.

Section 113 (2) (b) 130 (1) (c) (iii) 146 (1) (b) (v) (as amended by the No. 2 Act of 1985).

210 (2) (a) (i) (as amended by the No. 2 Act of 1985).

223

(1)(as amended by the Social Welfare Act, 1983 ).

224 (1) 224 (4) 224 (5) 225

(1)(as amended by the Social Welfare Act, 1982 ) 225 (3) 225 (5) 226 (as amended by the Act of 1984).

227 (2) 227 (3) 228 229 (1) 229 (2) 229 (4) 230 (1) 230 (3) 230 (4) 230 (5) 231 (1) 231 (2) 231 (3) 231 (4) (a) 232 (1) 232 (2) 232A (c) (inserted by the Act of 1984).

290 293 (1) 296 (2) (c) 300 (5) 300 (6) (a) 300 (7) 304 305 306 307 Privacy Statement Accessibility European Legislation Identifier (PDF) Open Data License Ráiteas Príobháideachais Inrochtaineacht Aitheantóir Eorpach Reachtaíochta (ELI) Ceadúnas Sonraí Oscailte Liosta Fianán © Government of Ireland. Oireachtas Copyright Material is reproduced with the permission of the Houses of the Oireachtas © Rialtas na hÉireann. Atáirgtear ábhar faoi Chóipcheart le cead ó Thithe an Oireachtais

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