Social Welfare Act, 1996

Transitional provisions.

18.—(1) In this section a “relevant payment” means—

(a) deserted wife's benefit under Chapter 18 of Part II of the Principal Act,

(b) deserted wife's allowance under Chapter 7 of Part III of the Principal Act, or

(c) prisoner's wife's allowance under Chapter 8 of Part III of the Principal Act,

as the case may require.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Part, a woman who, immediately before the commencement of section 19 of this Act, is in receipt of a relevant payment, the said relevant payment shall be payable for the duration of the woman's continuous entitlement to the relevant payment in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Act and regulations made thereunder.

(3) Where, immediately before the commencement of section 19 of this Act, a woman whose claim for a relevant payment has not been finally determined, and who would, but for the commencement of the said section, have become entitled to the said relevant payment, the relevant payment shall be payable for the duration of the woman's continuous entitlement to the relevant payment in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Act and regulations made thereunder.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Part, where, a woman, being of or over the age of 38 years and under the age of 40 years on the commencement of section 19 of this Act, has ceased or ceases to be entitled to benefit under Chapter 18 of Part II of the Principal Act by virtue of no longer having at least one qualified child residing with her, she shall, on reaching the age of 40 years, where but for this Part she would be entitled to the said benefit, again become and continue to be entitled to the said benefit, for the duration of her continuous entitlement thereto, in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Act and regulations made thereunder.