S.I. No. 312/1981 - Social Welfare (Variation of Rates of Payments) Regulations, 1981.


The Minister for Social Welfare, in exercise of the powers conferred on her by sections 3 and 308 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 (No. 1 of 1981) hereby makes the following Regulations:-

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Social Welfare (Variation of Rates of Payments) Regulations, 1981.

2. In these Regulations—

“the Principal Act” means the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 .

3. (1) The rates of benefit under section 17 of the Principal Act are hereby varied by the substitution for the rates set out in Parts I, II, III, IV and V of the Second Schedule to that Act (inserted by the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1981 (No. 3 of 1981)) of the rates set out in Schedule A to these Regulations.

(2) This article shall come into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to disability benefit, unemployment benefit, maternity allowance, injury benefit, disablement gratuity and disablement pension, on the 5th day of October, 1981,

(b) in so far as it relates to retirement pension, invalidity pension and deserted wife's benefit, on the 1st day of October, 1981, and

(c) in so far as it relates to death benefits under sections 50, 51 and 52 of the Principal Act, old age (contributory) pension, widow's (contributory) pension and orphan's (contributory) allowance, on the 2nd day of October, 1981.

4. (1) The rates of assistance under section 134 of the Principal Act are hereby varied by the substitution for the rates set out in Parts I and III of the Fourth Schedule to that Act (inserted by the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1981 ) of the rates set out in Schedule B to these Regulations.

(2) This article shall come into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to unemployment assistance, on the 30th day of September, 1981,

(b) 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 2nd day of October, 1981,

(c) 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 1st day of October, 1981, and

(d) in so far as it relates to supplementary welfare allowance, on the 5th day of October, 1981.

SCHEDULE A

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 qualified child or for each of two qualified children

(where payable)

Increase for each qualified child in excess of two

(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)

(5)

(6)

(7)

£

£

£

£

£

£

1. (A) Disability Benefit and Unemployment Benefit:

(a) In the case of persons over the age of 18 years-

(i) for a man, single woman or widow, married woman living apart from and unable to obtain any financial assistance from her husband or a married woman entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or for a husband

25.30

16.40

6.70

5.55

(ii) for any other married woman

22.25

(b) in the case of persons under the age of 18 years-

(i) where the person is entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or for an adult dependant

25.30

16.40

6.70

5.55

(ii) where the person is not so entitled

22.25

(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

21.25

5.95

4.65

(b) any other person

21.00

15.15

5.95

4.65

2. Maternity Allowance

25.30

3. Injury Benefit:

(a) In the case of persons over the age of 18 years—

(i) for a man, single woman or widow, married woman living apart from and unable to obtain any financial assistance from her husband, or amarried woman entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or for a husband

34.85

16.40

6.70

5.55

(ii) for any other married woman

27.55

(b) in the case of persons under the age of 18 years—

(i) where the person is entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or for an adult dependant

34.85

16.40

6.70

5.55

(ii) where the person is not so entitled

27.55

4. Death Benefit:

(a) Pension payable to a widow (section 50 (2)) or widower (section 50 (6))

(i) aged under 66

36.75

8.50

8.50

(ii) aged 66 and over

37.50

8.65

8.65

15.45

2.15

(b) pension payable to a parent, the deceased having been at death a married person where the parent is—

(i) aged under 66

16.40

(ii) aged 66 and over

16.70

15.45

2.15

(c) pension payable to a parent, the deceased having been at death a widower 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

36.75

(b) aged 66 and over

37.50

15.45

2.15

(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

36.75

(b) aged 66 and over

37.50

15.45

2.15

(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

36.75

(b) aged 66 and over

37.50

15.45

2.15

(iv) in any other case for persons—

(a) aged under 66

16.40

(b) aged 66 and over

16.70

15.45

2.15

(d) Pension payable to an orphan

19.35

5. Old Age (Contributory) Pension and Retirement Pension:

(a) in the case of persons under the age of 80 years

32.20

20.55

7.35

6.10

15.45

2.15

(b) in any other case

34.45

20.55

7.35

6.10

15.45

2.15

(c) additional increase for an adult dependant who has attained pensionable age

3.50

6. Invalidity Pension:

(a) for a man, single woman or widow, married woman living apart from and unable to obtain any financial assistance from her husband, or a married woman entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or for a husband where the pensioner is

(i) aged under 66

28.40

18.45

7.20

5.95

(ii) aged 66 and over

28.95

18.80

7.35

6.10

15.45

2.15

(b) for any other married woman

(i) aged under 66

25.00

(ii) aged 66 and over

25.45

15.45

2.15

7. Widows (Contributory) Pension and Deserted Wife's Benefit in the case of persons

(a) aged under 66

29.00

8.50

8.50

(b) aged 66 to 79

29.55

8.65

8.65

15.45

2.15

(c) aged 80 years and over

31.55

8.65

8.65

15.45

2.15

8. Orphan's (Contributory) Allowance

18.30

PART II

Occupational Injuries Benefits-Gratuities and Grant

£

1. Disablement Benefit:

Maximum Gratuity in the case of persons—

(i) aged under 66

2,630

(ii) aged 66 and over

2,680

2. Death Benefit:

(i) Widowers gratuity in the case of persons—

(a) aged under 66

1,915

(b) aged 66 and over

1,955

(ii) Grant in respect of funeral expenses

175

PART III

Disablement Pension

Degree of disablement

Weekly Rate

(person over 18 years)

Weekly Rate

(persons under 18 years of age and certain married women)

(1)

(2)

(3)

For persons under age 66

For persons aged 66 and over

Persons under 18 years and certain married women under 66 years

Certain married woman aged 66 and over

£

£

£

£

100 per cent

37.90

38.70

30.00

30.60

90 per cent

34.11

34.83

27.00

27.54

80 per cent

30.32

30.96

24.00

24.48

70 per cent

26.53

27.09

21.00

21.42

60 per cent

22.74

23.22

18.00

18.36

50 per cent

18.95

19.35

15.00

15.30

40 per cent

15.16

15.48

12.00

12.24

30 per cent

11.37

11.61

9.00

9.18

20 per cent

7.58

7.74

6.00

6.12

PART IV

Increases of Disablement Pension

£

1. Increase where the person is permanently incapable of work:

(a) in the case of persons over the age of 18 years—

(i) for a man, single woman or widow, married woman living apart from and unable to obtain any financial assistance from her husband, or a married woman entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or for a husband, where the person is—

(a) under age 66

...

...

...

25.30

(b) aged 66 and over

...

...

...

25.80

(ii) for any other married woman—

(a) under age 66

...

...

...

22.25

(b) aged 66 and over

...

...

...

22.70

(b) in the case of persons under the age of 18 years—

(i) where the person is entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or

for an adult dependant

...

...

...

25.30

(ii) where the person is not so entitled

...

22.25

2. Increase where the beneficiary requires constant attendance:

(a) limit of increase except in cases of exceptionally severe disablement in the case of persons—

(i) under age 66

...

...

...

...

15.15

(ii) aged 66 and over

...

...

...

15.45

(b) limit in any case where the person is—

(i) under age 66

...

...

...

...

30.30

(ii) aged 66 and over

...

...

...

30.90

PART V

Reduced Rates of Injury Benefit and Disablement Pension

£

(a) in the case of persons over the age of 18 years—

(i) for a man, single woman or widow, married woman living apart from and unable to obtain any financial assistance from her husband, or a married woman entitled to an increase for a qualified child or qualified children or for a husband where the person is

(a) under age 66

...

...

...

7.58

(b) aged 66 and over

...

...

...

7.74

(ii) for any other married woman

(a) under age 66

...

...

...

6.00

(b) aged 66 and over

...

...

...

6.12

(b) in the case of persons under the age of 18 years—

(i) where the person is entitled to an increase for a qualified child or for an adult dependant or, if a disablement pension is payable, would be so entitled if injury benefit rather than disablement pension was

payable

...

...

...

...

7.58

(ii) where the person is not, or would not be, so

entitled

...

...

...

...

6.00

SCHEDULE B

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 qualified child or each of two qualified children (where payable)

Increase for each qualified child in excess of two (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)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

£

£

£

£

£

£

£

1. Unemployment Assistance:—

A. Persons other than those at B hereof:

(1) in the case of persons other than those at (2) hereof

(i) for persons resident in any urban area

21.00

15.15

5.95

4.65

(ii) for persons resident in any other place

20.35

14.80

5.95

4.65

(2) in the case of persons for whom the yearly advantage from land is calculated in accordance with paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of section 147 (1)

(a) where the rateable valuation of the land does not exceed £10-

(i) for persons resident in any urban area

17.50

12.60

5.00

3.85

(ii) for persons resident in any other place

16.95

12.30

5.00

3.85

(b) where the rateable valuation of the land exceeds £10 but does nto exceed £15—

(i) for persons resident in any urban area

14.85

10.55

4.10

3.30

(ii) for persons resident in any other place

14.25

10.45

4.10

3.30

(c) where the rateable valuation of the land exceeds £15 but does not exceed £20—

(i) for persons resident in any urban area

12.40

8.85

3.50

2.80

(ii) for persons resident in any other place

12.00

8.70

3.50

2.80

B. Persons without an adult dependant and with one or more qualified children:

(1) in the case of persons other than those at (2) hereof

(i) for persons resident in any urban area

21.25

5.95

4.65

(ii) for persons resident in any other place

20.65

5.95

4.65

(2) in the case of persons for whom the yearly advantage from land is calculated in accordance with paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of section 147 (1)

(a) where the rateable valuation of the land does not exceed £10—

(i) for persons resident in any urban areas

17.70

5.00

3.85

(ii) for persons resident in any other place

17.20

5.00

3.85

(b) where the rateable valuation of the land exceeds £10 but does not exceed £15—

(i) for persons resident in any urban area

15.05

4.10

3.30

(ii) for persons resident in any other place

14.45

4.10

3.30

(c) where the rateable valuation of the land exceeds £15 but does not exceed £20—

(i) for persons resident in any urban area

12.65

3.50

2.80

(ii) for persons resident in any other place

12.15

3.50

2.80

2. Old Age Pension and Blind Pension

27.55

6.55

5.10

15.45

2.15

2.00

3. Widow's (Non-Contributory) Pension, Deserted Wife's Allowance, Prisoners Wife's Allowance and Social Assistance allowance for persons—

(i) under age 66

27.05

7.75

7.75

(ii) aged 66 and over

27.55

7.90

7.90

15.45

2.15

2.00

4. Orphan's (Non-Contributory) Pension

15.35

5. Single Woman's Allowance

23.60

6. Supplementary Welfare Allowance:

(a) Persons other than those at (b)

20.35

14.80

5.95

4.65

(b) Persons without an adult dependant and with one or more child dependants

20.65

5.95

4.65

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

...

13.85

exceed £6 but do not exceed £7

...

13.25

exceed £7 but do not exceed £8

...

12.65

exceed £8 but do not exceed £9

...

12.05

exceed £9 but do not exceed £10

...

11.45

exceed £10 but do not exceed £11

...

10.85

exceed £11 but do not exceed £12

...

10.25

exceed £12 but do not exceed £13

...

9.65

exceed £13 but do not exceed £14

...

9.05

exceed £14 but do not exceed £15

...

8.45

exceed £15 but do not exceed £16

...

7.85

exceed £16 but do not exceed £17

...

7.25

exceed £17 but do not exceed £18

...

6.65

exceed £18 but do not exceed £19

...

6.05

exceed £19 but do not exceed £20

...

5.45

exceed £20 but do not exceed £21

...

4.85

exceed £21 but do not exceed £22

...

4.25

exceed £22 but do not exceed £23

...

3.65

exceed £23 but do not exceed £24

...

3.05

exceed £24 but do not exceed £25

...

2.45

exceed £25 but do not exceed £26

...

1.85

exceed £26 but do not exceed £27

...

1.25

exceed £27 but do not exceed £28

...

0.65

exceed £28

...

...

...

...

Nil

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GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for Social Welfare this 1st day of September 1981.

EILEEN DESMOND,

Minister for Social Welfare.

The Minister for Finance hereby sanctions the foregoing Regulations.

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GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for Finance this 1st day of September 1981.

JOHN BRUTON,

Minister for Finance.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

The provisions of these Regulations give effect to the proposals for increases in the rates of social welfare payments which were announced in the recent budget.

The Regulations accordingly provide for increases in the existing statutory rates of old age contributory and non-contributory pension, disability benefit, maternity allowance, unemployment benefit and assistance, widows' and orphans' contributory and non-contributory pensions, deserted wife's benefit, invalidity and retirement pensions, occupational injuries benefits, supplementary welfare allowance and social assistance allowances for elderly single women, deserted wives, unmarried mothers and prisoners' wives, the new rates being payable from appropriate dates in September and October 1981.