Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968

Amendment of section 77 of Act of 1952 (increased rates of certain old age pensions).

10.—(1) Section 77 of the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by the addition thereto of the following subsection:

“(3) (a) The weekly rate of old age pension shall be increased by forty-five shillings for any period during which—

(i) the pensioner is so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention,

(ii) there is residing with the pensioner for the purpose of providing that care and attention a prescribed female relative of the pensioner, and

(iii) the pensioner, but for the residence of the prescribed female relative, would be living either alone or with another adult (or other adults) who is (or all of whom are) unable to provide that care and attention, the residence in the household of a qualified child or qualified children being disregarded for the purpose of this subparagraph.

(b) Not more than one increase of pension shall be payable under this subsection or under section 26 (4) of the Act of 1952 (inserted by section 9 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968) in respect of any prescribed female relative.

(c) An application for an increase of pension under this subsection shall be decided by a deciding officer appointed by the Minister under section 41 of this Act.

(d) An increase of pension under this subsection shall not be payable in respect of a prescribed female relative except where—

(i) she left insurable employment for the purpose of residing with the pensioner to provide full-time care and attention, and

(ii) she had not less than 156 employment contributions paid in respect of that employment since the beginning of the period of the last five complete contribution years preceding the date on which she left that employment.”.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the 3rd day of January, 1969.