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Number 21 of 1984
PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES (EMPLOYERS' INSOLVENCY) ACT, 1984
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Payment of unpaid contributions to occupational pension scheme. | |
Amendment of section 3 of and First Schedule to Act of 1973. | |
Acts Referred to | |
Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887 | 1887, c. 57 |
Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889 | 1889, c. 60 |
1946, No. 26 | |
1963, No. 33 | |
1967, No. 21 | |
1973, No. 4 | |
1973, No. 25 | |
1974, No. 15 | |
1977, No. 10 | |
1977, No. 16 | |
1979, No. 7 | |
1981, No. 1 | |
Social Welfare Acts, 1981 to 1984 | |
Number 21 of 1984
PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES (EMPLOYERS' INSOLVENCY) ACT, 1984
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
“the Act of 1967” means the Redundancy Payments Act, 1967;
“the Act of 1973” means the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973;
“the Act of 1974” means the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974;
“the Act of 1977” means the Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977;
“the Act of 1981” means the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981;
“company” means, except when the context otherwise requires, a company within the meaning of section 2 of the Companies Act, 1963, or any other body corporate whether incorporated within or outside the State;
“employee” means a person who has entered into or works under (or, in the case of a contract which has been terminated, worked under) a contract with an employer, whether the contract is for manual labour, clerical work or otherwise, is express or implied, oral or in writing, and whether it is a contract of service or apprenticeship or otherwise, and “employer” and any reference to employment shall be construed accordingly;
“holiday pay” means—
(a) pay in respect of a holiday actually taken; or
(b) any holiday pay which had accrued at the date of the termination of the employee's employment and which, had his employment with the employer continued until he became entitled to a holiday, would under the employee's contract of employment in the ordinary course have become payable to him on becoming so entitled;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Labour;
“occupational pension scheme” means any scheme or arrangement which, forming part of a contract of employment, provides or is capable of providing, in relation to employees in any description of employment, benefits (in the form of pensions or otherwise) payable to or in respect of any such employees on the termination of their employment or on their death or retirement;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under this Act;
“relevant officer” means an executor, an administrator, the official assignee or a trustee in bankruptcy, a liquidator, a receiver or manager, or a trustee under an arrangement between an employer and his creditors or under a trust deed for his creditors executed by an employer;
“the Tribunal” means the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
(2) Any reference in this Act to the assets of an occupational pensions scheme is a reference to the funds or other property out of which the benefits provided by the scheme are payable from time to time, including the proceeds of any policy of insurance taken out, or contract entered into, for the purposes of the scheme.
(3) For the purposes of this Act, an employer shall be taken to be or, as may be appropriate, to have become insolvent if, but only if,
(a) he has been adjudicated bankrupt or has filed a petition for or has executed a deed of, arrangement (within the meaning of section 4 of the Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887); or
(b) he has died and his estate, being insolvent, is being administered in accordance with the rules set out in Part I of the First Schedule to the Succession Act, 1965; or
(c) where the employer is a company, a winding up order is made or a resolution for voluntary winding up is passed with respect to it, or a receiver or manager of its undertaking is duly appointed, or possession is taken, by or on behalf of the holders of any debentures secured by any floating charge, of any property of the company comprised in or subject to the charge, or
(d) he is an employer of a class or description specified in regulations under section 4 (2) of this Act which are for the time being in force and the circumstances specified in the regulations as regards employers of such class or description obtain in relation to him.
Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund.
2.—(1) The fund established by section 26 of the Act of 1967 shall be known as the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund and references in that Act or in any other Act of the Oireachtas or in any instrument made under any Act of the Oireachtas to the Redundancy Fund shall be construed as a reference to the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund.
(2) Any reference in the Social Welfare Acts, 1981 to 1984, or in section 28 (inserted by section 3 of the Redundancy Payments Act, 1979) of the Act of 1967 to an employer's redundancy contribution shall be construed as including a reference to any amount which that contribution comprises by reason of the passing of this Act.
Application of Act.
3.—Subject to section 11 of this Act, this Act applies to employees employed in employment which is insurable for all benefits under the Social Welfare Acts, 1981 to 1984.
Insolvency for the purposes of Act.
4.—(1) An employer who is for the purposes of this Act insolvent shall for such purposes be regarded as having become insolvent on—
(a) where the employer has been adjudicated bankrupt, the date of such adjudication,
(b) where the employer petitioned for arrangement, the date on which the petition is filed,
(c) where the employer executed a deed referred to in section 1(3) (a) of this Act, the date of such execution,
(d) where the employer has died, the date of his death,
(e) where the employer is a company within the meaning of section 2 of the Companies Act, 1963—
(i) in case either a receiver is appointed on behalf of the holder of any debenture secured by a floating charge, or possession is taken by or on behalf of such a debenture holder of any property of the company comprised in or subject to the charge, the date of the appointment of the receiver or possession being taken as aforesaid, as may be appropriate, or
(ii) in any other case the date which, in relation to the company, is the relevant date within the meaning of section 285 of the Companies Act, 1963, and
(f) where the employer is an employer of a class or description specified in regulations under subsection (3) of this section which are for the time being in force, the day on which under the regulations such an employer is for such purposes to be regarded as having become insolvent.
(2) The Minister may by regulations specify the circumstances in which employers who are of a class or description specified in the regulations are, for the purposes of this Act, to be taken to be, or to have become, insolvent.
(3) The Minister may by regulations specify the day on which any employer who is of a class or description specified in the regulations and who is also an employer who for the purposes of this Act is insolvent, is to be regarded as having become so insolvent.
Appointment in certain circumstances of persons to perform functions assigned by Act to relevant officers.
5.—(1) Where—
(a) by virtue of section 1 (3) (d) of this Act, an employer becomes insolvent for the purposes of this Act, or
(b) an employer otherwise becomes insolvent for such purposes and there is not for the time being in relation to the insolvency a relevant officer,
the Minister may appoint as regards such insolvency a person under this subsection.
(2) Where the Minister makes an appointment under this section the following provisions shall apply:
(a) the functions assigned by this Act to a relevant officer shall, as regards the employer concerned, be performed by, and only by, the person to whom the appointment relates, or, if through illness or because his appointment is revoked or for any other reason the person so appointed is unable to perform such functions, another person so appointed, and
(b) for so long as the appointment remains in force, each of the references to a relevant officer in sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Act shall be construed as including a reference to the person to whom the appointment relates.
Employees' rights on insolvency of employer.
6.—(1) If, on an application made to him in the prescribed form by or on behalf of an individual, the Minister is satisfied that—
(a) the person by or on whose behalf the application is made (which person is in this section subsequently referred to as “the applicant”) is a person to whom this Act applies, and that he was employed by an employer who has become insolvent, and
(b) the date on which the employer became insolvent is a day not earlier than the 22nd day of October, 1983, and
(c) on the relevant date the applicant was entitled to be paid the whole or part of any debt to which this section applies,
the Minister shall, subject to this section, pay to or in respect of the applicant out of the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund the amount which, in the opinion of the Minister, is or was due to the applicant in respect of that debt.
(2) (a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection, the following are debts to which this section applies—
(i) any arrears of normal weekly remuneration in respect of a period, or of periods in the aggregate, not exceeding eight weeks, and to which the applicant became entitled during the relevant period,
(ii) any arrears due, in respect of a period or periods not exceeding eight weeks in all under a scheme or arrangement which, forming part of an employee's contract of employment, provides or is capable of providing in relation to employees in any description of employment, payments payable to any such employees in respect of periods during which they are unable to fulfil their contract of employment due to ill health and to which the applicant became entitled during the relevant period,
(iii) any amount which an employer is required to pay, by virtue of an award under section 12 of the Act of 1973 made not earlier than the commencement of the relevant period, either for the period of notice required by section 4 of the Act of 1973 or by reason of a failure by him to give the period of notice required by the said section 4,
(iv) any holiday pay in respect of a period or periods of holiday not exceeding eight weeks in all, and to which the applicant became entitled during the relevant period,
(v) any amount which an employer is required to pay by virtue of a determination under section 8 (1) or 9 (1) or an order under section 10 (2) of the Act of 1977 and made, in any case, not earlier than the commencement of the relevant period,
(vi) any amount to which a recommendation under section 8 (1) of the Act of 1977 relates, being a recommendation which was made not earlier than the commencement of the relevant period,
(vii) any amount which an employer is required to pay by virtue of an employment regulation order within the meaning of Part IV of the Industrial Relations Act, 1946, being an amount by reference to which proceedings have been instituted against the employer for an offence under section 45 (1) of that Act,
(viii) any amount—
(I) specified in a recommendation issued under section 7 (3) of the Act of 1974, or section 19 (3) of the Employment Equality Act, 1977,
(II) which an employer is required to pay by virtue of a decision or determination of an appeal by the Labour Court under subsection (1) of section 8 of the Act of 1974 or subsection (2) of section 21 of the Employment Equality Act, 1977 or, where appropriate, a decision of the High Court given by virtue of either subsection (3) of the said section 8 or subsection (4) of the said section 21,
(ix) damages awarded under section 24 (3) (a) of the Employment Equality Act, 1977,
(x) a fine imposed under section 8 (4) (c) (i) or paragraph (a) (inserted by section 30 of the Employment Equality Act, 1977) of section 9 (3) of the Act of 1974 or under section 25 (3) (a) (iii) or 26 (3) (a) (iii) of the Employment Equality Act, 1977, and
(xi) compensation directed to be paid under section 10 (1) (d) (inserted by section 31 of the Employment Equality Act, 1977) or section 10 (3) (a) (inserted by the said section 31) of the Act of 1974 or under section 26 (1) (d) (iii) of the Employment Equality Act, 1977.
(b) Any amount, damages, fine or compensation referred to in subparagraph (viii), (ix), (x) of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be regarded as being a debt to which this section applies if, and only if, the relevant recommendation, decision, determination, award or order was made during, or after the expiration of, the relevant period.
(3) Where—
(a) legal proceedings are instituted by or on behalf of an employee and on foot of all or any of the following—
(i) a claim for arrears described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) of subsection (2) of this section,
(ii) a claim for holiday pay described in subparagraph (iv) of the said subsection (2),
(iii) a claim for damages at common law for wrongful dismissal,
an award is made by the court in favour of the employee, and
(b) had the employee made an application under subsection (1) of this section in respect of any of the matters referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (a) of this subsection he would have satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of the said subsection (1),
subject to subsection (4) (a) of this section, there shall be paid out of the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund, to or in respect of the employee, an amount equal to—
(i) the amount of the award, or
(ii) the maximum which would have been payable out of the said Fund by virtue of this Act had the employee successfully sought redress under section 8 (1) or 9 (1) of the Act of 1977.
(4) (a) The amount payable to an employee in respect of any debt mentioned in subsection (2) or award mentioned in subsection (3) of this section shall, where the amount of that debt is or may be calculated by reference to the employee's remuneration, not exceed £211.54 in respect of any one week or, in respect of any period of less than a week, an amount bearing the same proportion to £211.54 as that period bears to the normal weekly working hours of the employee at the relevant date.
(b) An amount payable under this section in respect of a debt mentioned in subsection (2) (a) (ii) of this section as regards a particular period, shall not exceed the difference between the amount of any disability benefit or injury benefit payable under the Act of 1981 to the employee concerned as regards the period (together with, in either case, the amount of any pay-related benefit payable to such employee under the Act of 1981 as regards the period) and the amount of his normal weekly remuneration as regards the period.
(c) (i) A payment shall not be made under this section in respect of an amount which an employer is required to pay by virtue of a determination having been made under section 8 (1) or 9 (1) of the Act of 1977, unless—
(I) if proceedings are instituted under section 10 of the Act of 1977, the proceedings are withdrawn, or
(II) in case an appeal is brought under section 10 (4) of the Act of 1977 from the determination, the appeal has been either withdrawn or determined, or
(III) in case there is no such appeal, the time for bringing such an appeal has expired.
(ii) A payment shall not be made under this section in respect of an amount to which a recommendation under section 8 (1) of the Act of 1977 relates unless—
(I) in case an appeal from the recommendation is brought under section 9 (1) of the Act of 1977, the appeal is withdrawn, or
(II) in case there is no such appeal, the time for bringing such an appeal has expired.
(iii) A payment shall not be made under this section as regards a recommendation referred to in subsection (2) (a) (viii) (I) of this section unless—
(I) in case an appeal is brought under section 8 (1) (a) of the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974, or section 21(1) of the Employment Equality Act, 1977, against the recommendation, the appeal is withdrawn, or
(II) in case there is no such appeal, the time for bringing such an appeal has expired.
(5) The provisions of subsections (6) and (7) of this section shall apply in a case where a relevant officer is either appointed or required to be appointed.
(6) Subject to subsection (7) of this section, the Minister shall not in a case which is a case referred to in subsection (5) of this section make any payment under this section in respect of any debt until he has received a statement in the prescribed form from the relevant officer of the amount of that debt which appears to have been owed to the employee on the relevant date and to remain unpaid; and the relevant officer shall, on a request being made in that behalf, by the Minister, provide him, as soon as is reasonably practicable, with such a statement.
(7) Where—
(a) a period of six months has elapsed since the application for a payment under this section was received by the Minister, but no such payment has been made,
(b) the Minister is satisfied that a payment under this section should be made, and
(c) it appears to the Minister that there is likely to be further delay before he receives a statement referred to in subsection (6) of this section regarding the debt in question,
then, the Minister may, if the applicant so requests, or if the Minister thinks fit, without such a request, make a payment under this section notwithstanding the fact that no such statement has been received.
(8) Where an application is made to the Minister under this section and in relation to any or each of the debts to which the application relates, the Minister is satisfied that—
(a) there was an agreement between the applicant and the employer concerned that the whole or any part of the debt would be the subject of an application under this section, and
(b) when the agreement was made such employer had the means to pay such debt or the part thereof,
the Minister may either refuse the application or disallow it in so far as it relates to such debt or part.
(9) In this section—
“normal weekly remuneration” has the meaning assigned to it by Schedule 3 to the Act of 1967 for the purposes of that Schedule save that any reference in that Schedule to the date on which an employee was declared redundant may, where appropriate, be construed as including a reference to the relevant date;
“the relevant date” means—
(a) in relation to a debt which is an amount, damages, fine or compensation referred to in subparagraph (iii), (v), (vi), (viii), (ix), (x) or (xi) of subsection (2) (a) of this section, the date on which the relevant employer became insolvent or the date on which the relevant recommendation, decision, determination, award or order is made, whichever is the later,
(b) in relation to any other debt to which this section applies—
(i) in case the relevant applicant's employment is terminated as a result of the relevant employer's insolvency, the date on which such employer became insolvent, or the date of such termination, whichever such applicant shall as regards the debt nominate, or
(ii) in any other case, the date on which such employer became insolvent;
“the relevant period” means in relation to a debt to which this section applies, the period of eighteen months immediately preceding the relevant date.
(10) No reference in subsection (3) of this section to an award shall be construed as including a reference to any amount allowed as regards costs.
Payment of unpaid contributions to occupational pension scheme.
7.—(1) If, on an application made to him in the prescribed form by an employee or by the persons competent to act in respect of an occupational pension scheme, the Minister is satisfied that—
(a) an employer (being in case the application is made by a person otherwise than in his capacity as the person competent so to act the employer of the applicant) has become insolvent,
(b) the date on which for the purposes of this Act the employer became insolvent is a day not earlier than the 22nd day of October, 1983, and
(c) on that day there remained unpaid relevant contributions remaining to be paid by the employer to the scheme,
on the date on which the employer became insolvent, being a date not earlier than the said 22nd day of October the Minister shall, subject to this section, pay into the assets of the scheme out of the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund the sum which in his opinion is payable in respect of the unpaid relevant contributions.
(2) In this section “relevant contributions” means contributions falling to be paid by an employer in accordance with an occupational pension scheme, either on his own account or on behalf of an employee; provided that for the purposes of this section a contribution of any amount shall not be treated as falling to be paid on behalf of an employee unless a sum equal to that amount has been deducted from the pay of the employee by way of a contribution from him.
(3) The sum payable under this section in respect of unpaid contributions of an employer on his own account to an occupational pension scheme shall be the lesser of the following amounts—
(a) the balance of relevant contributions remaining unpaid on the date on which he became insolvent and payable by the employer on his own account to the scheme in respect of the period of twelve months ending on the day immediately preceding that date,
(b) the amount certified by an actuary to be necessary for the purpose of meeting the liability of the scheme on dissolution to pay the benefits provided by the scheme to or in respect of the employees of the employer.
(4) Any sum payable under this section in respect of unpaid contributions on behalf of an employee shall not exceed the amount deducted from the pay of the employee in respect of the employee's contributions to the occupational pension scheme during the period of twelve months ending on the day immediately preceding the date on which the employer became insolvent.
(5) The provisions of subsections (6), (7) and (8) of this section shall apply in a case where a relevant officer is either appointed or required to be appointed.
(6) Subject to subsection (8) of this section, the Minister shall not in a case which is a case referred to in subsection (5) of this section make any payment under this section in respect of unpaid relevant contributions until he has received a statement in the prescribed form from the relevant officer of the amount of relevant contributions which appear to have been unpaid on the date on which the employer became insolvent and to remain unpaid; and the relevant officer shall, on request made by the Minister provide him, as soon as reasonably practicable, with such a statement.
(7) Subject to subsection (8) of this section, an amount shall be taken to be payable under subsection (3) or to have been deducted in the manner referred to in subsection (4) of this section, only if it is certified by the relevant officer as being so payable, or to have been so deducted.
(8) Where—
(a) a period of six months has elapsed since the application for a payment under this section was received by the Minister, but no such payment has been made,
(b) the Minister is satisfied that a payment under this section should be made, and
(c) it appears to the Minister that there is likely to be further delay before he receives a statement or certificate about the contributions in question,
then, the Minister may, if the applicant so requests or, if the Minister thinks fit, without such a request, make a payment under this section, notwithstanding the fact that no statement or certificate referred to in subsection (6) or (7) of this section has been received.
Minister may require certain information and documents.
8.—(1) Where an application is made to the Minister under section 6 or 7 of this Act in respect of a debt owed or unpaid contributions to an occupational pensions scheme, the Minister may require—
(a) the employer concerned, or, in case a relevant officer is or is required to be appointed, that officer, to provide him with such information as the Minister may reasonably require for the purpose of determining whether the application is well-founded, and
(b) any person having the custody or control of any relevant record kept and retained pursuant to section 10 of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973, or any register, card, wages sheet, record of wages or other document which an officer of the Minister may reasonably consider to be relevant to the application to produce to such officer such document for examination by him.
(2) A requirement under this section shall be made by notice in writing given to the person on whom the requirement is imposed and may be varied or revoked by a subsequent notice so given.
Complaints to Tribunal.
9.—(1) A person who has applied for a payment under section 6 of this Act of a debt described in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iv) of subsection (2) (a) of that section may within the period of six weeks beginning on the day on which the decision of the Minister on the application was communicated to him or, if that is not reasonably practicable, within such further period as the Tribunal considers reasonable, present a complaint to the Tribunal that—
(a) the Minister has failed to make any such payment;
or
(b) any such payment made by the Minister is less than the amount which should have been paid.
(2) Any person who has applied for a payment to be made under section 7 of this Act into the resources of a pension scheme may, within the period of six weeks beginning on the day on which the decision of the Minister on that application was communicated to him, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, within such further period as the Tribunal considers reasonable, present a complaint to the Tribunal that—
(a) the Minister has failed to make any such payment;
or
(b) any such payment made by him is less than the amount which should have been paid.
(3) Where a claim for payment is made under section 6 or 7 of this Act and it appears to the Minister that a doubt exists as to whether or not such claim is allowable, either in whole or in part, he may refer any matter arising in connection with the claim to the Tribunal for a decision by it as regards the matter.
(4) Where on the hearing of a complaint presented under this section the Tribunal finds that the Minister is liable to make a payment under section 6 or 7 of this Act, it shall make a declaration to that effect and shall specify in the declaration the amount of such payment.
(5) Subsection (14) of section 39 of the Act of 1967 shall apply to a decision of the Tribunal on any matter referred to it under this section as it applies to a decision of the Tribunal on a question referred to it under that section.
Transfer to Minister of certain rights and remedies.
10.—(1) Where, in pursuance of section 6 of this Act, the Minister makes any payment to an employee in respect of any debt to which that section applies, any rights and remedies of the employee in respect of that debt (or, if the Minister has paid only part of it, in respect of that part) shall, on the making of the payment, become rights and remedies of the Minister.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, where rights and remedies become, by virtue of subsection (1) of this section, rights and remedies of the Minister, there shall be included amongst them any right to be paid in priority to all other debts under—
(a) section 4 of the Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889; or
(b) section 285, as amended by section 10 of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1982, of the Companies Act, 1963,
and the Minister shall be entitled to be so paid in priority to any other unsatisfied claim of the employee concerned being a claim which, but for this subsection, would be payable to the employee in such priority; and in computing for the purposes of any of the provisions of the said section 4 or the said section 285, as so amended, any limit on the amount of sums to be paid, any sums paid to the Minister shall be treated as if they had been paid to the employee.
(3) Where in pursuance of section 7 of this Act the Minister makes any payment into the resources of an occupational pension scheme in respect of any contributions to the scheme, any rights and remedies in respect of those contributions belonging to the persons competent to act in respect of the scheme shall, on the making of the payment, become rights and remedies of the Minister.
(4) Any sum recovered by the Minister in exercising any right or pursuing any remedy which is his by virtue of this section shall be paid into the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund.
Power to amend Act.
11.—(1) The Minister may from time to time by order amend section 3 of this Act so as to—
(a) extend the application of this Act to employees who are of a class or description specified in the order,
(b) exclude from such application employees who are of a class or description so specified.
(2) The Minister may from time to time by order amend section 6 of this Act so as to effect either or both of the following—
(a) substitute for the number of weeks specified in all or any of the following subsections, namely, subsection (2) (a) (i), (2) (a) (ii) or (2) (a) (iv) a different number of weeks,
(b) substitute for the number of months specified in the definition of “the relevant period” contained in subsection (9) thereof a different number of months.
(3) The Minister may from time to time by order amend section 4 (2), as amended by section 17 of the Redundancy Payments Act, 1979, and by section 12 of this Act, of the Act of 1967, so as to vary the number of hours specified therein.
(4) The Minister may from time to time by order amend—
(a) paragraph (a) of section 3 (1), as amended by section 13 of this Act, of the Act of 1973,
(b) paragraph 8, as amended by the said section 13, of the First Schedule to the Act of 1973,
so as to vary the number of hours specified in that paragraph.
(5) The Minister may by regulation amend section 6 of this Act so as to vary the limit specified in subsection (4) (a).
(6) The reference in section 2 (4) of the Act of 1977 to the First Schedule to the Act of 1973 shall be construed as being a reference—
(a) in case an order under this section amending that Schedule is for the time being in force, that Schedule as amended by section 20 of the Act of 1977, by section 13 of this Act and by the order,
(b) in case no such order is so in force, that Schedule as amended both by the said section 20 and the said section 13.
(7) Where an order under this section is proposed to be made, the Minister shall cause a draft of the order to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House.
Amendment of section 4 of Act of 1967.
12.—Subsection (2) of section 4, as amended by section 17 of the Redundancy Payments Act, 1979, of the Act of 1967 is hereby amended by the substitution of “18 hours” for “20 hours”, and the said subsection (2), as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
(2) This Act shall not apply to a person who is normally expected to work for the same employer for less than 18 hours in a week.
Amendment of section 3 of and First Schedule to Act of 1973.
13.—The Act of 1973 is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution in paragraph (a) of section 3(1) of “eighteen hours” for “twenty-one hours”, and
(b) the substitution of “eighteen hours” for “twenty-one hours” in paragraph 8 of the First Schedule;
and the said paragraphs (a) and 8, as so amended, are set out in paragraphs 1 and 2, respectively, of the Table to this section.
TABLE
1. (a) employment of an employee who is normally expected to work for the same employer for less than eighteen hours in a week.
2. 8. Any week in which an employee is not normally expected to work for at least eighteen hours or more will not count in computing a period of service.
Institution of proceedings for offence.
14.—Proceedings for an offence under section 15 of this Act shall not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Minister.
Offences.
15.—(1) If any person, in relation to an application under section 6 or 7 of this Act, whether for himself or for some other person,
(a) knowingly makes any false statement or false representation or knowingly conceals a material fact, or
(b) produces or furnishes, or causes or knowingly allows to be produced or furnished, any document or information which he knows to be false in a material particular,
he shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) If a person refuses or wilfully neglects to provide any information or produce any document which he has been required to provide or produce by a notice under section 8 of this Act he shall be guilty of an offence.
(3) If a person, in purporting to comply with a requirement of a notice under section 8 of this Act, knowingly or recklessly makes any false statement he shall be guilty of an offence.
(4) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.
(5) Subsections (8) and (9) of section 266 of the Act of 1981 shall apply in relation to an offence under this section which is committed by a body corporate as they apply to offences under Part V of the Act of 1981 which are so committed.
(6) Subsection (10) of section 266 of the Act of 1981 shall be construed and have effect as if the reference therein to proceedings under Part V of the Act of 1981 contained a reference to proceedings under this section.
Regulations.
16.—(1) The Minister may make regulations for giving effect to this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, regulations under this section may make provision requiring an applicant under section 6 or 7 of this Act to make the application within the prescribed time.
(3) The Minister may make regulations for prescribing any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed.
(4) Regulations under this section may apply to applications under this Act generally or to such applications which are of a prescribed class or description.
(5) Every regulation made under this Act by the Minister shall be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Expenses, etc.
17.—(1) The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
(2) The Minister may pay out of the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund to a relevant officer or a person to whom an appointment under section 5 of this Act relates, in respect of the functions performed by him under this Act, such fees as the Minister shall, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, determine.
Short title and collective citations.
18.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act, 1984.
(2) Section 12 of this Act and the Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 to 1979, may be cited together as the Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 to 1984.
(3) Section 13 of this Act and the Act of 1973 may be cited together as the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 and 1984.
Uimhir 21 de 1984
AN tACHT UM CHOSAINT FOSTAITHE (DÓCMHAINNEACHT FOSTÓIRÍ), 1984
RIAR NA nALT
Alt | |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
4. | |
5. | |
6. | |
7. | Ranníocaí neamhíoctha a íoc isteach sa scéim pinsin ghairme. |
8. | Féadfaidh an tAire faisnéis agus doiciméid áirithe a éileamh. |
9. | |
10. | |
11. | |
12. | |
13. | Leasú ar alt 3 d'Acht 1973 agus ar an gCéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht sin. |
14. | |
15. | |
16. | |
17. | |
18. |
Na hAchtanna Dá dTagraítear | |
Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887 | 1887, c. 57 |
Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889 | 1889, c. 60 |
Na hAchtanna Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1981 go 1984 | |
Uimhir 21 de 1984
AN tACHT UM CHOSAINT FOSTAITHE (DÓCMHAINNEACHT FOSTÓIRÍ), 1984
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1967” an tAcht um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1967;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1973” an tAcht um Fhógra Íosta agus Téarmaí Fostaíochta, 1973;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1974” an tAcht in aghaidh Idirdhealú (Pá), 1974;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1977” an tAcht um Dhífhostú Éagórach, 1977;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1981” an tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh (Comhdhlúthú), 1981;
ciallaíonn “cuideachta”, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, cuideachta de réir bhrí alt 2 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963,
nó aon chomhlacht corpraithe eile cibé acu corpraithe laistigh den Stát nó lasmuigh de;
ciallaíonn “fostaí” duine atá, nó a oibríonn (nó, i gcás conradh atá foirceanta, a d'oibrigh) faoi chonradh le fostóir, cibé acu is conradh é le haghaidh obair láimhe, obair chléireachais nó eile, nó is conradh sainráite nó conradh intuigthe é nó is conradh ó bhéal nó conradh i scríbhinn é nó is conradh seirbhíse nó conradh printíseachta nó eile é, agus forléireofar “fostóir” agus aon tagairt d'fhostaíocht dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “pá saoire”—
(a) pá i leith saoire a tógadh iarbhír; nó
(b) aon phá saoire a bhí faibhrithe ar dháta foirceanta fhostaíocht an fhostaí agus, i gcás é do leanúint i bhfostaíocht leis an bhfostóir go dtiocfadh sé i dteideal saoire, a bheadh, faoi chonradh fostaíochta an fhostaí sa ghnáth-chúrsa, iníoctha leis ar é do theacht i dteideal amhlaidh;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Saothair;
ciallaíonn “scéim pinsin ghairme” aon scéim nó comhshocraíocht trína ndéantar, nó trínar indéanta, i ndáil le fostaithe in aon chineál fostaíochta, mar chuid de chonradh fostaíochta, sochair (i bhfoirm pinsean nó eile) a sholáthar is iníoctha le haon fhostaithe den sórt sin nó ina leith ar fhoirceannadh a gcuid fostaíochta nó ar éag nó ar scor dóibh;
ciallaíonn “forordaithe” forordaithe le rialacháin faoin Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “oifigeach iomchuí” seiceadóir, riarthóir, an sannaí oifigiúil nó iontaobhaí i bhféimheacht, leachtaitheoir, glacadóir nó bainisteoir, nó iontaobhaí faoi chomhshocraíocht idir fostóir agus a chreidiúnaithe nó faoi ghníomhas iontaobhais dá chreidiúnaithe arna fhorghníomhú ag fostóir;
ciallaíonn “an Binse” an Binse Achomhairc Fostaíochta.
(2) Aon tagairt san Acht seo do shócmhainní scéime pinsin ghairme is tagairt í do na cistí nó don mhaoin eile as ar iníoctha ó am go ham na sochair a sholáthraítear leis an scéim, lena n-áirítear na fáltais ó aon pholasaí árachais a thógtar amach, nó ó aon chonradh faoina dtéitear, chun críocha na scéime.
(3) Chun críocha an Achta seo measfar fostóir a bheith dócmhainneach nó, de réir mar is cuí, measfar gur tháinig sé chun bheith dócmhainneach más rud é, agus más rud é amháin,
(a) gur breithníodh ina fhéimheach é nó gur chomhdaigh sé achainí comhshocraíochta nó gur fhorghníomhaigh sé gníomhas comhshocraíochta (de réir bhrí alt 4 den Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887); nó
(b) gur éag sé agus go bhfuil a eastát, is eastát dócmhainneach, á riaradh de réir na rialacha atá leagtha amach i gCuid I den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht Comharbais, 1965; nó
(c) i gcás gur cuideachta an fostóir, go ndearnadh ordú foirceanta nó gur ritheadh rún le haghaidh foirceannadh toilteanach ina leith nó gur ceapadh go cuí glacadóir nó bainisteoir ar a gnóthas nó go ndearna sealbhóirí aon bhintiúir arna n-urrú le haon mhuirear foluaineach, nó go ndearnadh thar a gceann, seilbh a ghlacadh ar aon mhaoin de chuid na cuideachta a bhí cuimsithe sa mhuirear nó a bhí faoina réir, nó
(d) gur fostóir é d'aicme nó de thuairisc a bheidh sonraithe i rialacháin faoi alt 4 (2) den Acht seo a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire agus go mbeidh na himthosca a bheidh sonraithe sna rialacháin maidir le fostóirí den aicme nó den tuairisc sin i bhfeidhm i ndáil leis.
An Ciste um Iomarcaíocht agus um Dhócmhainneacht Fostóirí.
2.—(1) Gairfear an Ciste um Iomarcaíocht agus um Dhócmhainneacht Fostóirí den chiste a bunaíodh le halt 26 d'Acht 1967 agus déanfar aon tagairtí don Chiste Iomarcaíochta san Acht sin nó in aon Acht eile den Oireachtas nó in aon ionstraim arna déanamh faoi aon Acht den Oireachtas a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don Chiste um Iomarcaíocht agus um Dhócmhainneacht Fostóirí.
(2) Aon tagairt sna hAchtanna Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1981 go 1984, nó in alt 28 (a cuireadh isteach le halt 3 den Acht um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1979) d'Acht 1967, do ranníoc iomarcaíochta fostóra forléireofar í mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt d'aon mhéid a bheidh cuimsithe sa ranníoc sin de bhíthin an Achta seo a rith.
Feidhm an Achta.
3.—Faoi réir alt 11 den Acht seo, beidh feidhm ag an Acht seo maidir le fostaithe a fhostaítear i bhfostaíocht atá inárachaithe le haghaidh gach sochar faoi na hAchtanna Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1981 go 1984.
Dócmhainneacht chun críocha an Achta.
4.—(1) Fostóir atá dócmhainneach chun críocha an Achta seo measfar chun na gcríoch sin gur tháinig sé chun bheith dócmhainneach—
(a) i gcás gur breithníodh ina fhéimheach an fostóir, ar dháta an bhreithnithe sin,
(b) i gcás go ndearna an fostóir achainí comhshocraíochta, ar dháta comhdaithe na hachainí,
(c) i gcás gur fhorghníomhaigh an fostóir gníomhas dá dtagraítear in alt 1 (3) (a) den Acht seo, ar dháta an fhorghníomhaithe sin,
(d) i gcás gur éag an fostóir, ar dháta a bháis,
(e) i gcás gur cuideachta de réir bhrí alt 2 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, an fostóir—
(i) i gcás gur ceapadh glacadóir thar ceann shealbhóir aon bhintiúir arna urrú le muirear foluaineach, nó go ndearna sealbhóir bintiúir den sórt sin nó go ndearnadh thar a cheann seilbh a ghlacadh ar aon mhaoin de chuid na cuideachta a bhí cuimsithe sa mhuirear nó a bhí faoina réir, ar an dáta a ceapadh an glacadóir nó ar an dáta ar glacadh seilbh mar a dúradh, de réir mar is iomchuí, nó
(ii) in aon chás eile, ar an dáta arb é, i ndáil leis an gcuideachta, an dáta iomchuí é de réir bhrí alt 285 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, agus
(f) más rud é gur fostóir é an fostóir d'aicme nó de thuairisc a bheidh sonraithe i rialacháin faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, ar an lá a nglacfar leis, faoi na rialacháin, gur tháinig an fostóir sin chun na gcríoch sin chun bheith dócmhainneach.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin na himthosca a shonrú ina measfar, chun críocha an Achta seo, fostóirí d'aicme nó de thuairisc a bheidh sonraithe sna rialacháin a bheith dócmhainneach nó a bheith tagtha chun bheith dócmhainneach.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin an lá a shonrú ar a bhféadfar aon fhostóir d'aicme nó de thuairisc a bheidh sonraithe sna rialacháin agus a bheidh freisin, chun críocha an Achta seo, ina fhostóir dócmhainneach, a mheas mar fhostóir a tháinig chun bheith dócmhainneach amhlaidh.
Daoine a cheapadh in imthosca áirithe chun feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh a shanntar leis an Acht d'oifigigh iomchuí.
5.—(1) Más rud é—
(a) de bhua alt 1 (3) (d) den Acht seo, go dtiocfaidh fostóir chun bheith dócmhainneach chun críocha an Achta seo, nó
(b) go dtiocfaidh fostóir chun bheith dócmhainneach ar shlí eile chun na gcríoch sin agus nach mbeidh oifigeach iomchuí ann de thuras na huaire i ndáil leis an dócmhainneacht,
féadfaidh an tAire duine a cheapadh faoin bhfo-alt seo maidir leis an dócmhainneacht sin.
(2) Má dhéanann an tAire ceapachán faoin alt seo beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas:
(a) déanfaidh an duine lena mbaineann an ceapachán, agus eisean amháin, na feidhmeanna a shanntar leis an Acht seo d'oifigeach iomchuí a chomhlíonadh maidir leis an bhfostóir lena mbaineann, nó más rud é, de dheasca breoiteachta nó de bhrí gur cúlghaireadh a cheapachán, nó ar chúis ar bith eile, nach féidir leis an duine a bheidh ceaptha amhlaidh na feidhmeanna sin a chomhlíonadh, déanfaidh duine eile a cheapfar amhlaidh iad a chomhlíonadh, agus
(b) fad a bheidh an ceapachán i bhfeidhm, forléireofar gach tagairt d'oifigeach iomchuí in ailt 6, 7 agus 8 den Acht seo mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt don duine lena mbaineann an ceapachán.
Cearta fostaithe ar fhostóir d'éirí dócmhainneach.
6.—(1) Más rud é, ar iarratas a bheith déanta chuige san fhoirm fhorordaithe ag duine aonair nó thar a cheann, gur deimhin leis an Aire—
(a) gur duine lena mbaineann an tAcht seo an duine a rinne an t-iarratas nó an duine a ndearnadh é thar a cheann (is duine dá ngairtear “an t-iarratasóir” san alt seo ina dhiaidh seo) agus go raibh sé fostaithe ag fostóir a tháinig chun bheith dócmhainneach, agus
(b) gur dáta nach luaithe ná an 22ú lá de Dheireadh Fómhair, 1983, an dáta ar tháinig an fostóir chun bheith dócmhainneach, agus
(c) go raibh an t-iarratasóir ar an dáta iomchuí i dteideal iomlán aon fhéich nó cuid d'aon fhiach lena mbaineann an t-alt seo a íoc leis,
déanfaidh an tAire, faoi réir an ailt seo, an méid atá nó a bhí, i dtuairim an Aire, dlite don iarratasóir i leith an fhéich sin a íoc leis an iarratasóir nó ina leith amach as an gCiste um Iomarcaíocht agus um Dhócmhainneacht Fostóirí.
(2) (a) Faoi réir mhír (b) den fho-alt seo, is fiacha lena mbaineann an t-alt seo an méid seo a leanas—
(i) aon riaráistí de ghnáth-luach saothair seachtainiúil i leith tréimhse, nó tréimhsí san iomlán, nach mó ná ocht seachtain agus ar tháinig an t-iarratasóir chun bheith ina dteideal le linn na tréimhse iomchuí,
(ii) aon riaráistí a bheidh dlite, i leith tréimhse nó tréimhsí nach faide ná ocht seachtain ar fad faoi scéim nó faoi chomhshocraíocht trína ndéantar nó trínar indéanta, mar chuid de chonradh fostaíochta fostaí, íocaíochtaí a sholáthar i ndáil le fostaithe in aon chineál fostaíochta, ar íocaíochtaí iad is iníoctha le haon fhostaithe den sórt sin i leith tréimhsí nach féidir leo a gconradh fostaíochta a chomhlíonadh lena linn mar gheall ar easláinte agus ar tháinig an t-iarratasóir chun bheith ina dteideal le linn na tréimhse iomchuí,
(iii) aon mhéid a cheanglaítear ar an bhfostóir a íoc, de bhua dámhachtana faoi alt 12 d'Acht 1973 arna déanamh tráth nach luaithe ná tosach na tréimhse iomchuí, le haghaidh na tréimhse fógra a cheanglaítear le halt 4 d'Acht 1973 nó de bhíthin gur mhainnigh sé an tréimhse fógra a thabhairt a cheanglaítear leis an alt sin 4,
(iv) aon phá saoire i leith tréimhse nó tréimhsí saoire nach faide ná ocht seachtain ar fad, agus ar tháinig an t-iarratasóir chun bheith ina theideal le linn na tréimhse iomchuí,
(v) aon mhéid a cheanglaítear ar fhostóir a íoc de bhua cinneadh faoi alt 8 (1) nó 9 (1) nó de bhua ordú faoi alt 10 (2) d'Acht 1977 agus a rinneadh in aon chás tráth nach luaithe ná tosach na tréimhse iomchuí,
(vi) aon mhéid lena mbaineann moladh faoi alt 8 (1) d'Acht 1977 ar moladh é a rinneadh tráth nach luaithe ná tosach na tréimhse iomchuí,
(vii) aon mhéid a cheanglaítear ar fhostóir a íoc de bhua ordú rialaithe fostaíochta de réir bhrí Chuid IV den Acht Caidrimh Thionscail, 1946 ar méid é a mbeidh imeachtaí tionscanta faoina threoir in aghaidh an fhostóra mar gheall ar chion faoi alt 45 (1) den Acht sin,
(viii) aon mhéid—
(I) a bheidh sonraithe i moladh a eiseofar faoi alt 7 (3) d'Acht 1974, nó faoi alt 19 (3) den Acht um Chomhionannas Fostaíochta, 1977,
(II) a cheanglaítear ar fhostóir a íoc de bhua breithe nó cinnidh ar achomharc ag an gCúirt Oibreachais faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 8 d'Acht 1974 nó faoi fho-alt (2) d'alt 21 den Acht um Chomhionannas Fostaíochta, 1977, nó más iomchuí, de bhua breithe ag an Ard-Chúirt arna tabhairt de bhua fho-alt (3) den alt sin 8 nó fho-alt (4) den alt sin 21,
(ix) damáistí a dhámhtar faoi alt 24 (3) (a) den Acht um Chomhionannas Fostaíochta, 1977,
(x) fíneáil a fhorchuirtear faoi alt 8 (4) (c) (i) nó faoi mhír (a) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 30 den Acht um Chomhionannas Fostaíochta, 1977) d'alt 9 (3) d'Acht 1974 nó faoi alt 25 (3) (a) (iii) nó 26 (3) (a) (iii) den Acht um Chomhionannas Fostaíochta, 1977, agus
(xi) cúiteamh a ordaítear a íoc faoi alt 10 (1) (d) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 31 den Acht um Chomhionannas Fostaíochta, 1977) nó faoi alt 10 (3) (a) (a cuireadh isteach leis an alt sin 31) d'Acht 1974 nó faoi alt 26 (1) (d) (iii) den Acht um Chomhionannas Fostaíochta, 1977.
(b) Aon mhéid, damáistí, fíneáil nó cúiteamh dá dtagraítear i bhfomhír (viii), (ix), (x) nó (xi) de mhír (a) den fho-alt seo measfar gur fiach iad lena mbaineann an t-alt seo más rud é, agus más rud é amháin, gur le linn na tréimhse iomchuí, nó tar éis dhul in éag don tréimhse sin, a rinneadh an moladh, an bhreith, an cinneadh, an dámhachtain nó an t-ordú iomchuí.
(3) Más rud é—
(a) go dtionscnóidh fostaí, nó go dtionscnófar thar a cheann, imeachtaí dlíthiúla, agus ar scór gach éilimh nó aon éilimh díobh seo a leanas—
(i) éileamh ar riaráistí a thuairiscítear i bhfomhír (i) nó (ii) d'fho-alt (2) den alt seo,
(ii) éileamh ar phá saoire a thuairiscítear i bhfomhír (iv) den fho-alt sin (2),
(iii) éileamh ar dhamáistí faoin dlí coiteann mar gheall ar dhífhostú éagórach,
go ndéanfaidh an chúirt dámhachtain i bhfabhar an fhostaí, agus
(b) go mbeadh, ach iarratas a bheith déanta aige faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le haon ábhar de na hábhair dá dtagraítear i bhfomhír (i), (ii) nó (iii) de mhír (a) den fho-alt seo, ceanglais mhíreanna (a), (b) agus (c) den fho-alt sin (1) comhlíonta ag an bhfostaí,
déanfar, faoi réir fho-alt (4) (a) den alt seo, méid a íoc leis an bhfostaí nó ina leith amach as an gCiste um Iomarcaíocht agus um Dhócmhainneacht Fostóirí is méid a bheidh comhionann—
(i) le méid na dámhachtana, nó
(ii) leis an uasmhéid a bheadh iníoctha amach as an gCiste sin de bhua an Achta seo dá mba gur éiligh an fostaí sásamh faoi alt 8 (1) nó 9 (1) d'Acht 1977 agus gur éirigh leis san éileamh.
(4) (a) An méid is iníoctha le fostaí i leith aon fhéich a luaitear i bhfo-alt (2) nó i leith dámhachtana a luaitear i bhfo-alt (3) den alt seo, ní bheidh sé, i gcás méid an fhéich sin a ríomh nó a bheith inríofa faoi threoir luach saothair an fhostaí, níos mó ná £211.54 i leith seachtain amháin ar bith ná, i leith tréimhse ar bith is lú ná seachtain, níos mó ná méid a mbeidh idir é agus £211.54 an chomhréir chéanna atá idir an tréimhse sin agus gnáth-uaireanta an chloig seachtainiúla oibre an fhostaí ar an dáta iomchuí.
(b) Aon mhéid is iníoctha faoin alt seo i leith féich a luaitear i bhfo-alt (2) (a) (ii) den alt seo maidir le tréimhse ar leith, ní bheidh sé níos mó ná an difríocht idir méid aon sochair mhíchumais nó sochair dhíobhála is iníoctha faoi Acht 1981 leis an bhfostaí lena mbaineann maidir leis an tréimhse (mar aon, i gceachtar cás, le méid aon sochair phá-choibhneasa is iníoctha leis an bhfostaí sin faoi Acht 1981 maidir leis an tréimhse) agus méid a ghnáth-luach saothair seachtainiúil maidir leis an tréimhse.
(c) (i) Ní dhéanfar aon íocaíocht faoin alt seo i leith méid a cheanglaítear ar fhostóir a íoc de bhua cinneadh a bheith déanta faoi alt 8 (1) nó 9 (1) d'Acht 1977, mura rud é—
(I) i gcás imeachtaí a bheith tionscanta faoi alt 10 d'Acht 1977, go dtarraingeofar siar na himeachtaí, nó
(II) i gcás achomharc a bheith déanta faoi alt 10 (4) d'Acht 1977 i gcoinne an chinnidh, go dtarraingeofar siar nó go gcinnfear an t-achomharc, nó
(III) i gcás nach mbeidh aon achomharc den sórt sin déanta, go mbeidh an t-am le hachomharc den sórt sin a dhéanamh imithe in éag.
(ii) Ní dhéanfar aon íocaíocht faoin alt seo i leith méid lena mbaineann moladh faoi alt 8 (1) d'Acht 1977 mura rud é—
(I) i gcás achomharc a bheith déanta i gcoinne an mholta faoi alt 9 (1) d'Acht 1977, go dtarraingeofar siar an t-achomharc, nó
(II) i gcás nach mbeidh aon achomharc den sórt sin déanta, go mbeidh an t-am le hachomharc den sórt sin a dhéanamh imithe in éag.
(iii) Ní dhéanfar aon íocaíocht faoin alt seo maidir le moladh dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt 2 (a) (viii) (I) den alt seo mura rud é—
(I) i gcás achomharc a bheith déanta faoi alt 8 (1) (a) den Acht in aghaidh Idirdhealú (Pá), 1974, nó faoi alt 21 (1) den Acht um Chomhionannas Fostaíochta, 1977, in aghaidh an mholta, go dtarraingeofar siar an t-achomharc, nó
(II) i gcás nach mbeidh aon achomharc den sórt sin déanta, go mbeidh an t-am le hachomharc den sórt sin a dhéanamh imithe in éag.
(5) Beidh feidhm ag forálacha fho-ailt (6) agus (7) den alt seo i gcás oifigeach iomchuí a cheapadh nó i gcás ina gceanglófar é a cheapadh.
(6) Faoi réir fho-alt (7) den alt seo, ní dhéanfaidh an tAire in aon chás, is cás dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (5) den alt seo, aon íocaíocht faoin alt seo i leith aon fhéich go dtí go bhfaighidh sé ráiteas san fhoirm fhorordaithe ón oifigeach iomchuí i dtaobh méid an fhéich sin a dhealraítear a bheith dlite don fhostaí ar an dáta iomchuí agus a bheith neamhíoctha; agus déanfaidh an t-oifigeach iomchuí, ar iarraidh chuige sin a bheith déanta ag an Aire, ráiteas den sórt sin a sholáthar dó a luaithe is féidir go réasúnach.
(7) Más rud é—
(a) go mbeidh tréimhse sé mhí caite ón dáta a fuair an tAire an t-iarratas ar íocaíocht faoin alt seo ach nach mbeidh aon íocaíocht den sórt sin déanta,
(b) gur deimhin leis an Aire gur chóir íocaíocht faoin alt seo a dhéanamh, agus
(c) go ndealraítear don Aire gur dóigh go mbeidh tuilleadh moille ann sula bhfaighidh sé ráiteas dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (6) den alt seo maidir leis an bhfiach lena mbaineann,
ansin féadfaidh an tAire, má iarrann an t-iarratasóir amhlaidh, nó d'éagmais iarraidh den sórt sin, más cuí leis an Aire, íocaíocht a dhéanamh faoin alt seo d'ainneoin nach bhfuarthas aon ráiteas den sórt sin.
(8) Má dhéantar iarratas chun an Aire faoin alt seo agus más deimhin leis an Aire i ndáil le haon fhiach nó le gach fiach lena mbaineann an t-iarratas—
(a) go raibh comhaontú ann idir an t-iarratasóir agus an fostóir lena mbaineann go mbeadh iomlán an fhéich nó aon chuid de ina ábhar iarratais faoin alt seo, agus
(b) go raibh sé ar chumas an fhostóra sin, an tráth a rinneadh an comhaontú, an fiach sin nó an chuid de a íoc,
féadfaidh an tAire diúltú don iarratas nó é a dhícheadú sa mhéid go mbaineann sé leis an bhfiach sin nó leis an gcuid sin.
(9) San alt seo—
tá le “gnáth-luach saothair seachtainiúil” an bhrí a shanntar dó le Sceideal 3 a ghabhann le hAcht 1967 chun críocha an Sceidil sin ach amháin go bhféadfar aon tagairt sa Sceideal sin don dáta a dearbhaíodh fostaí a bheith iomarcach a fhorléiriú, más iomchuí, mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt don dáta iomchuí;
ciallaíonn “an dáta iomchuí”—
(a) i ndáil le fiach ar méid, damáistí, fíneáil nó cúiteamh é dá dtagraítear i bhfomhír (iii), (v), (vi), (viii), (ix), (x) nó (xi) d'fho-alt (2) (a) den alt seo, an dáta a tháinig an fostóir iomchuí chun bheith dócmhainneach nó an dáta a rinneadh an moladh, an bhreith, an cinneadh, an dámhachtain nó an t-ordú iomchuí, cibé acu is déanaí,
(b) i ndáil le haon fhiach eile lena mbaineann an t-alt seo—
(i) i gcás gur de thoradh dhócmhainneacht an fhostóra iomchuí a fhoirceanntar fostaíocht an iarratasóra iomchuí, an dáta a tháinig an fostóir sin chun bheith dócmhainneach nó dáta an fhoirceanta sin, cibé dáta acu a ainmneoidh an t-iarratasóir sin maidir leis an bhfiach, nó
(ii) in aon chás eile, an dáta a tháinig an fostóir sin chun bheith dócmhainneach;
ciallaíonn “an tréimhse iomchuí”, i ndáil le fiach lena mbaineann an t-alt seo, an tréimhse ocht mí dhéag díreach roimh an dáta iomchuí.
(10) Ní fhorléireofar aon tagairt i bhfo-alt (3) den alt seo do dhámhachtain mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt d'aon mhéid a lamháiltear maidir le costais.
Ranníocaí neamhíoctha a íoc isteach sa scéim pinsin ghairme.
7.—(1) Más rud é, ar iarratas a bheith déanta chuige san fhoirm fhorordaithe ag fostaí nó ag na daoine atá inniúil chun gníomhú i leith scéim pinsin ghairme, gur deimhin leis an Aire—
(a) go bhfuil fostóir (arb é fostóir an iarratasóra é i gcás gur duine i gcáilíocht seachas ina cháilíocht mar dhuine atá inniúil chun gníomhú amhlaidh an duine a rinne an t-iarratas) tagtha chun bheith dócmhainneach,
(b) gur dáta nach luaithe ná an 22ú lá de Dheireadh Fómhair, 1983 an dáta a tháinig an fostóir chun bheith dócmhainneach chun críocha an Achta seo, agus
(c) go raibh ar an lá sin ranníocaí iomchuí neamhíoctha le híoc fós ag an bhfostóir isteach sa scéim,
ar an dáta a tháinig an fostóir chun bheith dócmhainneach, is dáta nach luaithe ná an 22ú lá sin de Dheireadh Fómhair, déanfaidh an tAire, faoi réir an ailt seo, an tsuim a bheidh ina thuairim iníoctha i leith na ranníocaí iomchuí neamhíoctha a íoc isteach i sócmhainní na scéime as an gCiste um Iomarcaíocht agus um Dhócmhainneacht Fostóirí.
(2) San alt seo ciallaíonn “ranníocaí iomchuí” ranníocaí a bheidh le híoc ag fostóir de réir scéime pinsin ghairme, ar a chuntas féin nó ar son fostaí; ar choinníoll nach measfar chun críocha an ailt seo go mbeidh ranníoc de mhéid ar bith le híoc ar son fostaí murar baineadh suim is comhionann leis an méid sin as pá an fhostaí ar mhodh ranníoca uaidh.
(3) An tsuim is iníoctha faoin alt seo i leith ranníocaí neamhíoctha fostóra ar a chuntas féin isteach i scéim pinsin ghairme is é a bheidh inti an méid is lú de na méideanna seo a leanas—
(a) an fuílleach de ranníocaí iomchuí a bheidh neamhíoctha ar an dáta a tháinig sé chun bheith dócmhainneach agus is iníoctha ag an bhfostóir ar a chuntas féin isteach sa scéim i leith na tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag dar críoch an lá díreach roimh an dáta sin,
(b) an méid a dheimhneoidh achtúire a bheith riachtannach faoi choinne dhliteanais na scéime tráth a díscaoilte chun na sochair a sholáthraítear leis an scéim a íoc le fostaithe an fhostóra nó ina leith.
(4) Aon suim is iníoctha faoin alt seo i leith ranníocaí neamhíoctha ar son fostaí, ní rachaidh sí thar an méid a baineadh as pá an fhostaí i leith ranníocaí an fhostaí isteach sa scéim pinsin ghairme i gcaitheamh na tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag dar críoch an lá díreach roimh an dáta a tháinig an fostóir chun bheith dócmhainneach.
(5) Beidh feidhm ag forálacha fho-ailt (6), (7) agus (8) den alt seo i gcás ina gceaptar oifigeach iomchuí nó ina gceanglaítear é a cheapadh.
(6) Faoi réir fho-alt (8) den alt seo, ní dhéanfaidh an tAire, in aon chás is cás dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (5) den alt seo, aon íocaíocht faoin alt seo i leith ranníocaí iomchuí neamhíoctha go dtí go bhfaighidh sé ráiteas san fhoirm fhorordaithe ón oifigeach iomchuí i dtaobh méid na ranníocaí iomchuí a dhealraítear a bheith neamhíoctha ar an dáta a tháinig an fostóir chun bheith dócmhainneach agus a bheidh fós neamhíoctha; agus déanfaidh an t-oifigeach iomchuí, ar iarraidh a bheith déanta ag an Aire, ráiteas den sórt sin a sholáthar dó a luaithe is féidir go réasúnach.
(7) Faoi réir fho-alt (8) den alt seo, ní mheasfar méid a bheith iníoctha faoi fho-alt (3) nó a bheith asbhainte ar an modh dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (4) den alt seo, ach amháin má dheimhníonn an t-oifigeach iomchuí é bheith iníoctha amhlaidh nó é bheith asbhainte amhlaidh.
(8) Más rud é—
(a) go mbeidh tréimhse sé mhí caite ón dáta a fuair an tAire iarratas ar íocaíocht faoin alt seo ach nach mbeidh aon íocaíocht den sórt sin déanta,
(b) gur deimhin leis an Aire gur chóir íocaíocht faoin alt seo a dhéanamh, agus
(c) go ndealraítear don Aire gur dóigh go mbeidh tuilleadh moille ann sula bhfaighidh sé ráiteas nó deimhniú maidir leis na ranníocaí lena mbaineann,
ansin féadfaidh an tAire, má iarrann an t-iarratasóir amhlaidh, nó, d'éagmais iarraidh den sórt sin, más cuí leis an Aire, íocaíocht a dhéanamh faoin alt seo d'ainneoin nach bhfuarthas ráiteas nó deimhniú dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (6) nó (7) den alt seo.
Féadfaidh an tAire faisnéis agus doiciméid áirithe a éileamh.
8.—(1) Má dhéantar iarratas chun an Aire faoi alt 6 nó 7 den Acht seo i leith fiach atá dlite nó ranníocaí atá neamhíoctha isteach i scéim pinsin ghairme, féadfaidh an tAire—
(a) a cheangal ar an bhfostóir lena mbaineann, nó, i gcás oifigeach iomchuí a cheapadh, nó i gcás ina gceanglófar é a cheapadh, ar an oifigeach sin, cibé faisnéis a éileoidh an tAire go réasúnach a sholáthar dó chun a chinneadh an bhfuil bunús maith leis an iarratas, agus
(b) a cheangal ar aon duine a mbeidh ar coimeád nó faoina rialú aige aon taifead iomchuí a choimeádtar agus a choinnítear de bhun alt 10 den Acht um Laethanta Saoire (Fostaithe), 1973, nó aon chlár, cárta, leathán pá, taifead faoi phá nó aon doiciméad eile is dóigh le hoifigeach don Aire, le réasún, a bheith bainteach leis an iarratas, aon doiciméad den sórt sin a thabhairt ar aird don oifigeach sin lena scrúdú aige.
(2) Aon cheanglas faoin alt seo is trí fhógra i scríbhinn arna thabhairt don duine ar a gcuirtear an ceanglas a dhéanfar é agus féadfar é a athrú nó a chúlghairm trí fhógra ina dhiaidh sin arna thabhairt amhlaidh.
Gearáin leis an mBinse.
9.—(1) Aon duine a mbeidh iarratas déanta aige ar fhiach a thuairiscítear i bhfomhír (i), (ii) nó (iv) d'fho-alt (2) (a) den alt sin a íoc faoi alt 6 den Acht seo féadfaidh sé laistigh den tréimhse sé sheachtain dar tosach an lá ar cuireadh breith an Aire ar an iarratas in iúl dó nó, murab indéanta sin go réasúnach, laistigh de cibé tréimhse bhreise is réasúnach dar leis an mBinse, gearán a dhéanamh leis an mBinse á rá—
(a) gur mhainnigh an tAire aon íocaíocht den sórt sin a dhéanamh;
nó
(b) gur lú aon íocaíocht den sórt sin a rinne an tAire ná an méid ba chóir a íoc.
(2) Aon duine a mbeidh iarratas déanta aige ar íocaíocht a dhéanamh faoi alt 7 den Acht seo isteach in acmhainní scéime pinsin, féadfaidh sé, laistigh den tréimhse sé sheachtain dar tosach an lá ar cuireadh breith an Aire ar an iarratas sin in iúl dó nó, murab indéanta sin go réasúnach, laistigh de cibé tréimhse bhreise is réasúnach leis an mBinse, gearán a dhéanamh leis an mBinse á rá—
(a) gur mhainnigh an tAire aon íocaíocht den sórt sin a dhéanamh;
nó
(b) gur lú aon íocaíocht den sórt sin a rinne sé ná an méid ba chóir a íoc.
(3) Má dhéantar éileamh ar íocaíocht faoi alt 6 nó 7 den Acht seo agus go ndealraítear don Aire go bhfuil amhras ann i dtaobh an t-éileamh sin a bheith inlamháilte, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, féadfaidh sé aon ní a eascróidh i dtaca leis an éileamh a tharchur chun an Bhinse lena bhreith a fháil maidir leis an ní sin.
(4) Más rud é, ar ghearán a bheidh déanta faoin alt seo a éisteacht, go gcinnfidh an Binse go bhfuil sé dlite den Aire íocaíocht a dhéanamh faoi alt 6 nó 7 den Acht seo, déanfaidh sé dearbhú sa chéill sin agus sonróidh sé méid na híocaíochta sin sa dearbhú.
(5) Beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (14) d'alt 39 d'Acht 1967 maidir le breith de chuid an Bhinse ar aon ní a tharchuirfear chuige faoin alt seo amhail mar atá feidhm aige maidir le breith de chuid an Bhinse ar cheist a tharchuirfear chuige faoin alt sin.
Cearta agus leigheasanna áirithe a aistriú chun an Aire.
10.—(1) Más rud é, de bhun alt 6 den Acht seo, go ndéanfaidh an tAire aon íocaíocht le fostaí i leith aon fhéich lena mbaineann an t-alt sin, tiocfaidh aon chearta agus leigheasanna de chuid an fhostaí i leith an fhéich sin (nó i gcás nach mbeidh ach cuid de íoctha ag an Aire, i leith na coda sin) chun bheith, tráth déanta na híocaíochta, ina gcearta agus ina leigheasanna de chuid an Aire.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1) den alt seo, más rud é go dtiocfaidh cearta agus leigheasanna chun bheith, de bhua fho-alt (1) den alt seo, ina gcearta agus ina leigheasanna de chuid an Aire áireofar ina measc aon cheart íocaíocht a fháil i dtosaíocht ar gach fiach eile faoi—
(a) alt 4 den Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889; nó
(b) alt 285, arna leasú le halt 10 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí (Leasú), 1982, d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963,
agus beidh an tAire i dteideal íocaíocht a fháil amhlaidh i dtosaíocht ar aon éileamh neamhshásaithe eile de chuid an fhostaí lena mbaineann, ar éileamh é a bheadh, murach an fo-alt seo, iníoctha i dtosaíocht den sórt sin leis an bhfostaí; agus nuair a bheidh ríomh á dhéanamh, chun críocha aon fhorála d'fhorálacha an ailt sin 4 nó an ailt sin 285, arna leasú amhlaidh, ar aon teorainn ar an méid suimeanna a bheidh le híoc, déileálfar le haon suimeanna a íocadh leis an Aire amhail is dá mba shuimeanna iad a íocadh leis an bhfostaí.
(3) Más rud é, de bhun alt 7 den Acht seo, go ndéanfaidh an tAire aon íocaíocht isteach in acmhainní scéime pinsin ghairme i leith aon ranníocaí isteach sa scéim, tiocfaidh aon chearta agus leigheasanna i leith na ranníocaí sin atá ag na daoine atá inniúil chun gníomhú i leith na scéime, chun bheith, tráth déanta na híocaíochta, ina gcearta agus ina leigheasanna de chuid an Aire.
(4) Aon suim a ghnóthóidh an tAire de thoradh aon cheart a fheidhmiú nó aon leigheas a lorg ar ceart nó leigheas dá chuid é de bhua an ailt seo, íocfar í isteach sa Chiste um Iomarcaíocht agus um Dhócmhainneacht Fostóirí.
Cumhacht an tAcht a leasú.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, le hordú, alt 3 den Acht seo a leasú—
(a) chun fostaithe d'aicme nó de thuairisc a bheidh sonraithe san ordú a thabhairt faoi réim fheidhm an Achta seo,
(b) chun fostaithe d'aicme nó de thuairisc a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh a eisiamh ón réim feidhme sin.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, le hordú, alt 6 den Acht seo a leasú le héifeacht a thabhairt do cheachtar díobh seo a leanas nó dóibh araon—
(a) líon difriúil seachtainí a chur in ionad an líon seachtainí a shonraítear sna fo-ailt seo a leanas nó in aon fho-alt díobh, eadhon, fo-alt (2) (a) (i), (2) (a) (ii) nó (2) (a) (iv),
(b) líon difriúil míonna a chur in ionad an líon míonna a shonraítear sa mhíniú ar “an tréimhse iomchuí” atá i bhfo-alt (9) den alt sin.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham le hordú alt 4 (2), arna leasú le halt 17 den Acht um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1979, agus le halt 12 den Acht seo, d'Acht 1967 a leasú, chun an líon uaireanta an chloig a shonraítear ann a athrú.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham le hordú—
(a) mír (a) d'alt 3 (1), arna leasú le halt 13 den Acht seo, d'Acht 1973,
(b) mír 8, arna leasú leis an alt sin 13, den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1973,
a leasú chun an líon uaireanta an chloig a shonraítear sa mhír sin a athrú.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialachán alt 6 den Acht seo a leasú chun an teorainn a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (4) (a) a athrú.
(6) Déanfar an tagairt in alt 2 (4) d'Acht 1977 don Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1973 a fhorléiriú—
(a) i gcás ordú faoin alt seo ag leasú an Sceidil sin a bheith i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, mar thagairt don Sceideal sin arna leasú le halt 20 d'Acht 1977, le halt 13 den Acht seo agus leis an ordú,
(b) i gcás nach mbeidh aon ordú den sórt sin i bhfeidhm, mar thagairt don Sceideal sin arna leasú leis an alt sin 20 agus leis an alt sin 13.
(7) Má bheartaítear ordú faoin alt seo a dhéanamh, cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara dréacht den ordú a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an t-ordú go dtí go mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag gach Teach acu sin.
Leasú ar alt 4 d'Acht 1967.
12.—Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (2) d'alt 4, arna leasú le halt 17 den Acht um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1979, d'Acht 1967, trí “18 n-uaire an chloig” a chur in ionad “20 uair a chloig”, agus tá an fo-alt sin (2), arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TÁBLA |
(2) Ní bhainfidh an tAcht seo le duine a oibríonn, nó a mbítear ag súil go n-oibreoidh sé, leis an bhfostóir céanna ar feadh cuid is lú ná 18 n-uaire an chloig sa tseachtain. |
Leasú ar alt 3 d'Acht 1973 agus ar an gCéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht sin.
13.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1973—
(a) trí “ocht n-uaire an chloig déag” a chur in ionad “uair a chloig is fiche” i mír (a) d'alt 3 (1), agus
(b) trí “ocht n-uaire an chloig déag” a chur in ionad “uair a chloig is fiche” i mír 8 den Chéad Sceideal;
agus tá na míreanna sin (a) agus 8, arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach i míreanna 1 agus 2, faoi seach, den Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TÁBLA |
1. (a) le fostaíocht fostaí a gceaptar dó de ghnáth oibriú don fhostóir céanna ar feadh tréimhse is lú ná ocht n-uaire an chloig déag sa tseachtain. |
2. 8. Nuair a bheidh tréimhse seirbhíse á ríomh ní áireofar aon seachtain nach gceaptar de ghnáth do fhostaí oibriú ar feadh ocht n-uaire an chloig déag ar a laghad nó níos mó. |
Imeachtaí a thionscnamh mar gheall ar chion.
14.—Is é an tAire amháin a thionscnóidh, nó is le toiliú an Aire amháin a thionscnófar, imeachtaí mar gheall ar chion faoi alt 15 den Acht seo.
Cionta.
15.—(1) Más rud é, i ndáil le hiarratas faoi alt 6 nó 7 den Acht seo, go ndéanfaidh aon duine, ar a shon féin nó ar son duine éigin eile,
(a) aon ráiteas bréagach nó aon uiríoll bréagach a thabhairt go feasach nó aon fhíoras ábhartha a cheilt go feasach, nó
(b) aon doiciméad nó faisnéis is eol dó a bheith bréagach i bponc ábhartha a thabhairt ar aird nó a chur ar fáil nó a chur faoi deara nó a cheadú go feasach sin a thabhairt ar aird nó a chur ar fáil,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(2) Má dhiúltaíonn duine nó má mhainníonn sé go toiliúil aon fhaisnéis a sholáthar nó aon doiciméad a thabhairt ar aird a cheanglaítear air a sholáthar nó a thabhairt ar aird trí fhógra faoi alt 8 den Acht seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(3) Má thugann duine aon ráiteas bréagach go feasach nó go meargánta agus é á airbheartú go bhfuil ceanglas aon fhógra faoi alt 8 den Acht seo á chomhlíonadh aige, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(4) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air.
(5) Beidh feidhm ag fo-ailt (8) agus (9) d'alt 266 d'Acht 1981 i ndáil le cion faoin alt seo a dhéanfaidh comhlacht corpraithe amhail mar atá feidhm acu maidir le cionta faoi Chuid V d'Acht 1981 a dhéanfar amhlaidh.
(6) Forléireofar fo-alt (10) d'alt 266 d'Acht 1981 agus beidh éifeacht leis amhail is dá bhfolódh an tagairt ann d'imeachtaí faoi Chuid V d'Acht 1981 tagairt d'imeachtaí faoin alt seo.
Rialacháin.
16.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh chun éifeacht a thabhairt don Acht seo.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh rialacháin faoin alt seo socrú a dhéanamh a cheanglóidh ar iarratasóir faoi alt 6 nó 7 den Acht seo an t-iarratas a dhéanamh laistigh den am forordaithe.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh chun aon ábhar dá dtagraítear san Acht seo mar ábhar forordaithe a fhorordú.
(4) Féadfaidh rialacháin faoin alt seo feidhm a bheith leo maidir le hiarratais faoin Acht seo go ginearálta nó maidir leis na hiarratais sin ar d'aicme nó de thuairisc fhorordaithe iad.
(5) Gach rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin beidh an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán.
Costais, etc.
17.—(1) Déanfar na costais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire cibé táillí a chinnfidh sé le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais a íoc as an gCiste um Iomarcaíocht agus um Dhócmhainneacht Fostóirí, le hoifigeach iomchuí nó le duine lena mbaineann ceapachán faoi alt 5 den Acht seo, maidir leis na feidhmeanna a chomhlíonann sé faoin Acht seo.
Gearrtheideal agus comhlua.
18.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Chosaint Fostaithe (Dócmhainneacht Fostóirí), 1984 a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchtanna um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1967 go 1984, a ghairm d'alt 12 den Acht seo agus de na hAchtanna um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1967 go 1979, le chéile.
(3) Féadfar na hAchtanna um Fhógra Íosta agus Téarmaí Fostaíochta, 1973 agus 1984, a ghairm d'alt 13 den Acht seo agus d'Acht 1973, le chéile.