Social Welfare Act, 1984

Amendment of section 170 of Principal Act (regulations).

25.—Section 170 of the Principal Act (as amended by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983 ) is hereby amended by the substitution for subsections (1) to (3) of the following subsections:

“(1) The Minister may, in consultation with An Post (so far as relates thereto), make regulations for the purposes of this Chapter—

(a) specifying the evidence to be required as to the fulfilment of statutory conditions, and

(b) specifying the manner in which claims to pensions may be made.

(2) The regulations shall provide for enabling claimants for pensions to make their claims and obtain information as respects old age pensions under this Chapter through An Post and for provisionally allowing claims to pensions before the date on which the claimant will become actually entitled to the pension, in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be laid down by the regulations.

(3) Regulations may also be made for enabling a person to be appointed to exercise, on behalf of any claimant or pensioner who is, by reason of any mental or other incapacity, unable to act, any right to which that claimant or pensioner may be entitled under this Chapter and to authorise any person so appointed to receive, on behalf of and for the benefit of the claimant or pensioner, any sums payable by way of old age pension.”.