Social Welfare Act, 1997

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Number 10 of 1997

SOCIAL WELFARE ACT, 1997

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

Preliminary

Section
1.	Short title and construction.
2.	Definitions.

PART II

Increases

3.	Social insurance benefits (new rates).
4.	Social assistance payments (new rates).
5.	Child benefit (new rates).
6.	Family income supplement (new weekly rates etc.).
7.	Continued payment for qualified children.
8.	Employment contributions (new rates of contributions, increases in earnings ceilings, etc.).
9.	Self-employment contributions (increase in earnings ceiling).

PART III

Social Insurance Improvements

10.	Maternity benefit (self-employed contributors).
11.	Adoptive benefit (self-employed contributors).

12.	Old age (contributory) and retirement pension — extension of entitlement to reduced rate pension and changes in contribution conditions.
13.	Unemployment benefit — requalifying for benefit.
14.	Occupational injuries benefits — extension of entitlements.

PART IV

Sickness Allowance

15.	Sickness allowance.
16.	Amendments consequential on section 15.
17.	Disability benefit and invalidity pension — changes in title.
18.	Commencement (Part IV).

PART V

Widow's and Widower's (Non-Contributory) Pension

19.	Widow's and widower's (non-contributory) pension.
20.	Amendments consequential on section 19.
21.	Commencement (Part V).

PART VI

Other Social Assistance Improvements

22.	Disability allowance — extension of entitlement etc.
23.	Carer's allowance — extension of entitlement.
24.	Pre-retirement allowance — extension of entitlement.
25.	Assessment of means — standardisation of provisions relating to assessment of property (capital).
26.	Assessment of means — consolidation of disregards etc.
27.	Commencement (Part VI).

PART VII

Miscellaneous Amendments

28.	Adult dependant — change in title and payment of reduced rate.
29.	Liability to maintain family.
30.	Unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance — relaxation of waiting days requirement etc.
31.	Repayment of benefit, assistance, etc. on personation.
32.	Disqualifications for claims made outside prescribed time.
33.	Collection and refund of contributions.
34.	Appeals to Circuit Court.
35.	Amendment to references following consolidation of regulations.
36.	Continuance of instruments.

PART VIII

Amendment of Section 4 of National Social Service Board Act, 1984

37.	National Social Service Board — functions.

PART IX

Amendment of Health Contributions Act, 1979 and Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981

38.	Amendment of section 7A of Health Contributions Act, 1979.
39.	Amendment of section 18A of Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981.

PART X

Amendment to the Pensions Act, 1990

40.	Amendment of Pensions Act, 1990.

Acts Referred to
Adoption Act, 1991	1991, No. 14
Adoptive Leave Act, 1995	1995, No. 2
Army Pension Acts, 1923 to 1980
Blind Persons Act, 1920	1920, c. 49
Child Care Act, 1991	1991, No. 17
Corporation Tax Act, 1976	1976, No. 7
Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976	1976, No. 11
Family Law Act, 1995	1995, No. 26
Finance Act, 1983	1983, No. 15
Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964	1964, No. 7
Health Act, 1970	1970, No. 1
Health Contributions Act, 1979	1979, No. 4
Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Act, 1989	1989, No. 6
Larceny Act, 1916	1916, c. 50
Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992
Maternity Protection Act, 1994	1994, No. 34
Medical Practitioners Act, 1978	1978, No. 4
Merchant Shipping Act, 1894	1894, c. 60
National Social Service Board Act, 1984	1984, No. 2
Pensions Act, 1990	1990, No. 25
Social Welfare Act, 1993	1993, No. 5
Social Welfare Act, 1994	1994, No. 4
Social Welfare Act, 1995	1995, No. 3
Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1995	1995, No. 23
Social Welfare Act, 1996	1996, No. 7
Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993	1993, No. 27
Status of Children Act, 1987	1987, No. 26
Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981	1981, No. 32