Social Welfare Act, 1972
In short
This law, the Social Welfare Act, 1972, primarily focuses on increasing the rates of various social welfare payments and amending existing social welfare legislation. It aims to improve financial support for recipients of old age pensions, unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit, and widows' and orphans' non-contributory pensions.
What it regulates
- Increases in old age pension rates.
- Increases in unemployment assistance rates.
- Increases in certain unemployment benefit rates.
- Increases in widows' and orphans' non-contributory pension rates.
Who it concerns
- Individuals receiving old age pensions.
- Individuals receiving unemployment assistance or benefit.
- Widows and orphans receiving non-contributory pensions.
Key points
- Old age pensions are increased, with specific new weekly rates detailed in a table based on means and number of qualified children.
- An additional fifty new pence is added to the old age pension rate for pensioners aged 80 years or more.
- Unemployment assistance rates are increased, with specific weekly rates provided for persons with or without dependants, and varying by urban or other residential areas.
- Unemployment benefit rates are increased, with specific weekly rates for different classes of persons and increases for adult and qualified child dependants.
Legal text
Social Welfare Act, 1972 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.
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- s)or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 1972 Social Welfare Act, 1972 Social Welfare Act, 1972 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 15 of 1972 SOCIAL WELFARE ACT, 1972 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section 1. Interpretation. 2. Increase of rates of old age pensions. 3. Increase of rates of unemployment assistance. 4. Increase of certain rates of unemployment benefit. 5. Increase of rates of widows' (non- contributory) pensions. 6. Increase of rates of orphans' (non-contributory) pensions. 7. Amendment of section 6 of Act of 1952. 8. Amendment of section 26
- Amendment of section 47 of Act of
- Amendment of section 58 of Act of
- Amendment of section 77
- Amendment of Second Schedule to Act of
- Amendment of Third Schedule to Act of
- Amendment of Fourth Schedule to Act of
- Amendments relating to the extension of certain provisions of Act of 1952 to members of Garda Síochána.
- Restriction of section 13 of Act of 1966 and of certain regulations under section 32 of Act of
- Amendment of Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act,
- Amendment of section 21
- Amendment of section 22
- Short title, construction and collective citation. Acts Referred to Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act, 1935 1935, No. 29 Social Welfare Act, 1952 1952, No. 11 Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1966 1966, No. 24 Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968 1968, No. 31 Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1969 1969, No. 19 Social Welfare Act, 1970 1970, No. 12 Social Welfare Act, 1971 1971, No. 16 Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1964 1964, No. 28 Old Age Pensions Act, 1924 1924, No. 19 Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933 1933, No. 46 Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1967 1967, No. 18 Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1960
- No. 25 Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1963 1963, No. 26 Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1965 1965, No. 20 Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966 1966, No. 16 Number 15 of 1972 SOCIAL WELFARE ACT, 1972 AN ACT TO AMEND AND EXTEND THE OLD AGE PENSIONS ACTS, 1908 TO 1971, THE UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1933 TO 1971, THE WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' PENSIONS ACTS, 1935 TO 1971, AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE ACTS, 1952 TO
- [12th July, 1972] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS: Interpretation. 1.—In this Act— “the Act of 1935” means the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act, 1935 ; “the Act of 1952” means the Social Welfare Act, 1952 ; “the Act of 1966” means the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1966 ; “the Act of 1968” means the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968 ; “the Act of 1969” means the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1969 ; “the Act of 1970” means the Social Welfare Act, 1970 ; “the Act of 1971” means the Social Welfare Act, 1971 . Increase of rates of old age pensions. 2.—
- b)the substitution of “two hundred and sixty pounds” for “two hundred and forty-seven pounds” in that subsection, (
- c)the substitution of “fifty new pence” for “forty new pence” in that subsection, (
- d)the substitution for the Table (inserted by the Act of 1971) to that subsection of the Table to this subsection, and (
- e)the substitution of “three pounds” for “fifty-five shillings” in paragraph (
- a)of subsection
- b)(inserted by the Act of 1971) of the following: “(
- b)(
- i)where the yearly means of the widow as duly calculated do not exceed two hundred and seventy-three pounds and seventy-five new pence, at the rate set forth in Table B to this subsection, and (
- ii)where the yearly means of the widow as duly calculated exceed two hundred and seventy-three pounds and seventy-five new pence, at the rate at which the pension would be payable if the yearly means of the widow as duly calculated exceeded two hundred and sixty pounds and seventy-five new pence but did not exceed two hundred and seventy-three pounds and seventy-five new pence, less twenty-five new pence for each amount (if any) of thirteen pounds by which the said yearly means exceed two hundred and seventy-three pounds and seventy-five new pence, any fraction of thirteen pounds being treated for this purpose as thirteen pounds; provided that if the rate calculated pursuant to this paragraph at which, but for this provision, the pension would be payable is less than fifty new pence a week, the pension shall not be payable”, and (
- b)the substitution for Table B (inserted by the Act of 1971) of the following Table: TABLE B Weekly Rates of Widows' (Non-Contributory) Pensions Means of Widow Widow, no qualified child Widow, one qualified child Widow, two qualified children
- a)44p Paragraph (
- b)£1·08
- a)the substitution for paragraph (
- a)of the following paragraph: “(
- a)The weekly rate of old age (contributory) pension and, in the case of a person who has attained the age of 70 years, of widow's (contributory) pension, retirement pension or invalidity pension shall be increased by the amount set out in column
- i)the beneficiary is so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention, (
- ii)there is residing with the beneficiary for the purpose of providing that care and attention a prescribed relative of the beneficiary, and (iii) such conditions as may be prescribed are fulfilled.”, and (
- b)the deletion of “female” in paragraph (b).
- aa)(inserted by the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1963 ) of the following paragraph: “(
- aa)where it appears to the Minister that the circumstances so warrant, for enabling a person to be appointed to receive and deal with, on behalf of a claimant or beneficiary— (
- i)in respect of disability benefit, unemployment benefit, invalidity pension, retirement pension or old age (contributory) pension, so much of the benefit or pension as is payable by virtue of section 26 or section 27 of this Act, (
- ii)in respect of widow's (contributory) pension, so much of the pension as is payable by virtue of section 27 of this Act, (iii) in respect of injury benefit or disablement pension, so much thereof as is payable by virtue of section 10 or section 11 of the Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966 .”. Amendment of section 58 of Act of 1952. 10.—Section 58 of the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by the substitution of “twelve months” for “four months” in subsection
- Amendment of Second Schedule to Act of
- 12.—
- i)in the case of a male employed contributor 1·03 (
- ii)in the case of a female employed contributor 0·97 Paragraph 1 (b): (
- i)in the case of a male employed contributor 1·09 (
- ii)in the case of a female employed contributor 1·07 Paragraph 2 (
- a)0·91 Paragraph 2 (
- b)0·95 Paragraph 2 A (
- a)0·77 Paragraph 2 A (
- b)0·90 Paragraph 3 (
- a)0·72 Paragraph 3 (
- b)0·79 Paragraph 3A (
- a)0·82 Paragraph 3A (
- b)0·95 Paragraph 4 (
- a)0·21 Paragraph 4 (
- b)0·23 Paragraph 5 (
- b)0·23 Paragraph 6 (
- a)0·94 Paragraph 6 (
- b)1·07 Paragraph 7 (
- a)0·94 Paragraph 7 (
- b)1·02
- Amendment of Third Schedule to Act of
- 13.—
- a)in the case of persons over the age of eighteen— (
- i)for a man, single woman or widow, married woman living apart from and unable to obtain any financial assistance from her husband or married woman entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or for a husband 5·55 3·75 1·35 1·00 — (
- ii)for any other married woman 4·35 — — — — (
- b)in the case of persons under the age of eighteen— (
- i)where the person is entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or for an adult dependant 5·55 3·75 1·35 1·00 — (
- ii)where the person is not so entitled 4·35 — — — — 2. Invalidity Pension 5·55 3·75 1·35 1·00 3·00 3. Maternity Allowance 5·55 — — — — 4. Widow's (Contributory) Pension: (
- a)in the case of persons under the age of eighty 5·60 — 1·50 1·50 3·00 (
- b)in any other case 6·10 — 1·50 1·50 3·00 5. Orphan's (Contributory) Allowance 3·80 — — — — 6. Retirement Pension and Old Age (Contributory) Pension: (
- a)in the case of persons under the age of eighty 6·20 4·15 1·35 1·00 3·00 (
- b)in any other case 6·70 4·15 1·35 1·00 3·00 ” and (
- b)the substitution in Part II (inserted by the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1965 ), for the item inserted by the Act of 1970, of the following item: “3. Death Grant: (
- a)in case the deceased person was a qualified child under the age of five years 7 (
- b)in case the deceased person was any other qualified child 21 (
- c)in any other case 35”.
- a)in so far as it relates to disability benefit, unemployment benefit, maternity allowance and death grant, on the 2nd day of October, 1972, (
- b)in so far as it relates to invalidity pension and retirement pension, on the 5th day of October, 1972, and (
- c)in so far as it relates to any other benefit, on the 6th day of October, 1972. Amendment of Fourth Schedule to Act of 1952. 14.—The Fourth Schedule to the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following for paragraph 3 (
- b)(ii): “(
- ii)that not less than twenty-six employment contributions have been paid in respect of or credited to the claimant in respect of the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year in which the relevant time occurs or in respect of a subsequent complete contribution year before the relevant time.”. Amendments relating to the extension of certain provisions of Act of 1952 to members of Garda Síochána. 15.—
- a)the insertion after paragraph 10 (inserted by the Social Welfare (Insurance Inclusions and Exclusions) Regulations, 1968 (S.I. No. 51 of 1968)) of Part I of the First Schedule of the following paragraph: “11. Employment as a member of the Garda Síochána.”, and (
- b)the insertion in section 12
- g)(inserted by the Act of 1968) of the following: “or (
- h)persons employed as members of the Garda Síochána.”.
- a)“six pounds and ten new pence” shall be substituted for “five pounds and fifty new pence” (inserted by the Act of 1971), (
- b)in section 8
- b)“eight pounds and ten new pence” shall be substituted for “seven pounds and fifty new pence” (inserted by the Act of 1971), (
- c)in section 9
- a)“five hundred and sixty-eight pounds” shall be substituted for “five hundred and twenty pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1971), (
- d)in TABLE I annexed to section 9
- b)(
- ii)“£1.62” shall be substituted for “£1.50” and “£1.22” for “£1.10” (inserted by the Act of 1971), (
- g)in section 10
- a)“four pounds and thirty-five new pence” shall be substituted for “three pounds and ninety new pence” (inserted by the Act of 1971), (
- j)in section 12
- b)“five pounds and fifty-five new pence” shall be substituted for “four pounds and ninety-five new pence” (inserted by the Act of 1971), (
- k)in section 13
- a)(
- i)“six pounds and ten new pence” shall be substituted for “five pounds and fifty new pence” (inserted by the Act of 1971), (
- m)in section 15
- a)(
- ii)“eight pounds and ten new pence” shall be substituted for “seven pounds and fifty new pence” (inserted by the Act of 1971), (
- n)in sections 17
- p)in section 19 “one pound and fifty new pence” shall be substituted for “one pound” (inserted by the Act of 1971) in each place where it occurs, (
- q)in section 20 “two pounds and eighty new pence” shall be substituted for “two pounds and fifty new pence” (inserted by the Act of 1971) in each place where it occurs and “seven pounds and sixty new pence” shall be substituted for “seven pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1971) in each place where it occurs, (
- r)in section 21
- s)in section 22 “one hundred pounds” shall be substituted for “sixty pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1971) in each place where it occurs, (
- t)in section 25
- a)“one pound and twenty-two new pence” shall be substituted for “one pound and ten new pence” (inserted by the Act of 1971), (
- u)in section 25
- a)by the substitution, with effect from the 3rd day of August, 1972, of “£3” for “£2 15s. 0d.” and, in paragraph (d), of “£351.75” for “£299. 15s”, and (
- b)by the deletion, with effect from the 5th day of October, 1972, of “female” in paragraph (b). Amendment of section 22
- a)in so far as it amends and extends the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 to 1971, shall be construed as one with those Acts and may be cited together with them as the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 to 1972, (
- b)in so far as it amends and extends the Unemployment Assistance Acts, 1933 to 1971, shall be construed as one with those Acts and may be cited together with them as the Unemployment Assistance Acts, 1933 to 1972, (
- c)in so far as it amends and extends the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, 1935 to 1971, shall be construed as one with those Acts and may be cited together with them as the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, 1935 to 1972, (
- d)in so far as it amends and extends the Social Welfare Acts, 1952 to 1971, shall be construed as one with those Acts and may be cited together with them as the Social Welfare Acts, 1952 to 1972. 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