Social Welfare Act, 2001

PART 5

Alignment of Tax and Calendar Years

Transitional arrangements for the preservation of rights.

29.—(1) Where, consequent on an amendment to the definition of “year of assessment” contained in the Income Tax Acts, the period beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001 is a contribution year as defined in section 2(1) (as amended by section 15 of this Act) of the Principal Act, the Minister may make regulations amending any provision of the Principal Act with respect to the application of that provision in so far as it relates to the period beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001, for the purpose of securing the preservation of rights conferred under or by virtue of the Principal Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, regulations under that subsection may provide for the award of additional—

(a) employment contributions to any person who has paid employment contributions in respect of the contribution year beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001,

(b) voluntary contributions to any person who has paid voluntary contributions in respect of the contribution year beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001 and who is not awarded additional employment contributions in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection, and

(c) optional contributions to any person who has paid optional contributions in respect of the contribution year beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001 and who is not awarded additional employment contributions in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection,

and, subject to such conditions and in such circumstances as may be prescribed, for the manner in which the said employment contributions, voluntary contributions or optional contributions will be taken into account for the purpose of determining entitlement to any benefit.