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Number 6 of 1998
SOCIAL WELFARE ACT, 1998
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary
Section | |
Increases
Employment contributions (increases in earnings ceilings, etc.). | |
Improvements in Social Welfare Schemes
Administration of Public Service Data
Miscellaneous Provisions
Disablement benefit — claims made outside the prescribed time. | |
Amendment of Health Contributions Act, 1979 and Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981
Amendment of section 18A of Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981. |
Amendment of Section 54 of Pensions Act, 1990
Acts Referred to | |
Blind Persons Act, 1920 | 1920, c. 49 |
1995, No. 32 | |
1988, No. 25 | |
1947, No. 28 | |
1970, No. 1 | |
1979, No. 4 | |
1966, No. 21 | |
1988, No. 28 | |
1992, No. 18 | |
1968, No. 24 | |
1992, No. 19 | |
1941, No. 23 | |
1990, No. 25 | |
1996, No. 18 | |
1992, No. 5 | |
1994, No. 4 | |
1995, No. 23 | |
1996, No. 7 | |
1997, No. 10 | |
1981, No. 1 | |
1993, No. 27 | |
1997, No. 39 | |
1981, No. 32 | |
Income Tax (Employments) Regulations, 1972 | S.I. No. 260 of 1972 |
Income Tax (Employments) Regulations, 1960 | S.I. No. 28 of 1960 |
Number 6 of 1998
SOCIAL WELFARE ACT, 1998
PART I
Preliminary
Short title and construction.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Social Welfare Act, 1998.
(2) The Social Welfare Acts and this Act (other than Parts VI and VII) shall be construed together as one.
Definitions.
2.—In this Act—
“the Principal Act” means the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993;
“the Act of 1994” means the Social Welfare Act, 1994;
“the No. 2 Act of 1995” means the Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1995;
“the Act of 1996” means the Social Welfare Act, 1996;
“the Act of 1997” means the Social Welfare Act, 1997.
Continuance of instruments.
3.—An instrument that is made under a provision of the Principal Act that is amended by this Act and that is in force immediately before the commencement of the amendment shall continue in force as if made under the provision so amended.
PART II
Increases
Social insurance benefits (new rates).
4.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for Parts I to IV (inserted by section 3 of the Act of 1997) of the Second Schedule thereto of the Parts set out in Schedule A to this Act.
(2) This section shall come into operation—
(a) in so far as it relates to unemployment benefit, on the 28th day of May, 1998,
(b) in so far as it relates to disability benefit, health and safety benefit, injury benefit, disablement gratuity and disablement pension, on the 1st day of June, 1998,
(c) in so far as it relates to retirement pension, invalidity pension and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(a) of the Act of 1996, on the 4th day of June, 1998, and
(d) in so far as it relates to death benefit under section 60, 61, 62 or 63 of the Principal Act, old age (contributory) pension, widow's and widower's (contributory) pension and orphan's (contributory) allowance, on the 5th day of June, 1998.
Social assistance payments (new rates).
5.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for Parts I and II (inserted by section 4 of the Act of 1997) of the Fourth Schedule thereto of the Parts set out in Schedule B to this Act.
(2) This section shall come into operation—
(a) in so far as it relates to unemployment assistance and disability allowance, on the 27th day of May, 1998,
(b) in so far as it relates to supplementary welfare allowance, on the 1st day of June, 1998,
(c) in so far as it relates to pre-retirement allowance, one-parent family payment (other than where payable in respect of a widow or widower), carer's allowance, prescribed relative allowance and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(b) or (c) of the Act of 1996, on the 4th day of June, 1998, and
(d) in so far as it relates to old age (non-contributory) pension, blind pension, widow's and widower's (non-contributory) pension, one-parent family payment payable in respect of a widow or widower and orphan's (non-contributory) pension, on the 5th day of June, 1998.
Child benefit (new rates, etc.).
6.—(1) The Fourth Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for Part III (inserted by section 5 of the Act of 1997) of the following Part:
“PART III
Amounts of Child Benefit
Amount for each of first 2 children | Amount for each child in excess of 2 |
(1) | (2) |
£31.50 | £42.00 |
”.
(2) Section 194 of the Principal Act (as amended by section 5 of the Act of 1996) is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution for subsection (2) of the following subsection:
“(2) Notwithstanding anything in this Part, the monthly benefit payable to a qualified person in respect of a qualified child whose birth was part of—
(a) a multiple birth of two children, of whom two remain qualified, shall be 150 per cent. of the amount as set out in Part III of the Fourth Schedule, or
(b) a multiple birth of three or more children, of whom—
(i) not less than three remain qualified, shall be 200 per cent. of the amount as set out in Part III of the Fourth Schedule,
(ii) not less than two remain qualified, shall be 150 per cent. of the amount as set out in Part III of the Fourth Schedule, and
(iii) one remains qualified, shall be payable at the amount set out in Part III of the Fourth Schedule.”,
(b) the substitution for subsection (4) of the following subsection:
“(4) The amount of the grant payable in accordance with subsection (3) shall be £500.”,
and
(c) the substitution for subsections (6A) (inserted by section 5 of the Act of 1996) and (7) of the following subsections:
“(7) Subject to this Act, a person who is qualified for child benefit shall be paid a grant of £500 in respect of a multiple birth of two or more qualified children, on the 4th and 12th anniversary of the birth of the last born of such multiple birth.
(8) Payment of a grant under subsection (3) or subsection (7) shall be in addition to any child benefit payable by way of a monthly benefit under this Part in respect of the children concerned.”.
(3) This section shall come into operation on the 1st day of September, 1998.
Family income supplement (new weekly rates, etc.).
7.—(1) Section 197 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for the definition of “weekly family income” (inserted by section 6 of the Act of 1997) of the following definition:
“‘weekly family income’ means, subject to regulations under section 202, the amount of income received in a week by a family, less—
(i) any allowable contribution referred to in Regulations 59 and 60 (inserted by the Income Tax (Employments) Regulations, 1972 (S.I. No. 260 of 1972)) of the Income Tax (Employments) Regulations, 1960 (S.I. No. 28 of 1960),
(ii) any income tax payable under the provisions of the Income Tax Acts as defined in section 1 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, applicable to Schedule E,
(iii) any contributions payable under section 10(1)(b) or regulations made under section 11,
(iv) any contributions payable under section 5 of the Health Contributions Act, 1979,
(v) any contributions payable under section 16 of the Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981, or
(vi) any income of a person who in respect of that family is a child.”.
(2) Subsection (1) shall come into operation on the 1st day of October, 1998.
(3) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for section 198 (inserted by section 6 of the Act of 1997) of the following section:
“Entitlement to supplement.
198.—Subject to this Act, an allowance (in this Act referred to as ‘family income supplement’) shall be payable out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas in respect of a family where the weekly family income is less than—
(a) in the case of a family which includes only 1 child, £212,
(b) in the case of a family which includes 2 children, £232,
(c) in the case of a family which includes 3 children, £252,
(d) in the case of a family which includes 4 children, £272,
(e) in the case of a family which includes 5 children, £297,
(f) in the case of a family which includes 6 children, £317,
(g) in the case of a family which includes 7 children, £334, or
(h) in the case of a family which includes 8 or more children, £351.”.
(4) Subsection (3) shall come into operation on the 4th day of June, 1998.
Employment contributions (increases in earnings ceilings, etc.).
8.—(1) Section 10 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution in subsection (1)(b) of “£100” for “£80” (inserted by section 8(1)(a) of the Act of 1996),
(b) the substitution in subsection (1)(c) of “£24,200” for “£23,200” (inserted by section 8(1)(b) of the Act of 1997),
(c) the substitution in subsection (1)(d)(i) and (ii) of “£270” for “£260” (inserted by section 8(1)(c) of the Act of 1997), and
(d) the substitution in subsection (1)(e) of “£29,000” for “£27,900” (inserted by section 8(1)(d) of the Act of 1997).
(2) This section shall come into operation on the 6th day of April, 1998.
Self-employment contributions (increase in income ceiling).
9.—(1) Section 18(1) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in paragraph (d) of “£24,200” for “£23,200” (inserted by section 9(1) of the Act of 1997).
(2) This section shall come into operation on the 6th day of April, 1998.
PART III
Improvements in Social Welfare Schemes
Assessment of means — improvements.
10.—(1) Rule 1 of Part I of the Third Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution in paragraph (2)(inserted by section 26(1)(a) of the Act of 1997) for subparagraph (p) of the following subparagraph:
“(p) other than in the case of disability allowance and subject to paragraph (6) and (6A), any moneys earned by him or his spouse from insurable employment of a seasonal nature.”,
(b) the insertion after paragraph (6)(inserted by section 11(1)(b) of the No. 2 Act of 1995) of the following paragraph:
“(6A) other than in the case of disability allowance, the value of all moneys derived by his or her spouse from insurable employment of a seasonal nature, ascertained in the prescribed manner, during the period in which his or her spouse is engaged in such employment, and the value so calculated shall be deemed to constitute the weekly means of that person from such employment.”,
and
(c) the substitution in paragraph (2) for subparagraph (r) of the following subparagraph:
“(r) other than in the case of disability allowance, an amount of £2,000 together with one-half of any amount in excess of £2,000 received under the following schemes:
(i) the Rural Environment Protection Scheme administered by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and
(ii) the Special Areas of Conservation Scheme administered by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands,”.
(2) Rule 1(4) (inserted by section 26(1)(c) of the Act of 1997) of Part II of the Third Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by—
(a) the insertion after subparagraph (b) of the following sub-paragraph:
“(bb) in the case of carer's allowance, an amount not exceeding the maximum amount set out at column (2), reference 3 of Part I of the Second Schedule, of a payment corresponding to invalidity pension under Chapter 15 of Part II, from another Member State or under the legislation of any other State with which the Minister has made a reciprocal arrangement under the provisions of section 238,”,
(b) the substitution for subparagraph (q) of the following sub-paragraph:
“(q) in the case of old age (non-contributory) pension, an amount of £2,000 together with one-half of any amount in excess of £2,000 received under the following schemes:
(i) the Rural Environment Protection Scheme administered by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and
(ii) the Special Areas of Conservation Scheme administered by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands,”,
and
(c) the substitution for subparagraph (t) of the following sub-paragraph:
“(t) for the purposes of old age (non-contributory) pension and widow's and widower's (non-contributory) pension, any moneys received in respect of rent from a person who resides with the claimant or beneficiary and but for the residence of such person the claimant or beneficiary would reside alone,”.
(3) Section 4(4)(a) (as amended by section 26(2) of the Act of 1997) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for “and 1(6)” of “, 1(6) and 1(6A)”.
(4) Section 119 (as amended by section 11(3) of the No. 2 Act of 1995) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in the definition of “weekly means” for “shall, subject to Rule 1(6)” of “shall, subject to Rule 1(6) or Rule 1(6A), as the case may be,”.
Payment in respect of loss of purchasing power.
11.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after section 206 of the following section:
“Payment in respect of loss of purchasing power.
206A.—(1) Where a person makes a claim for any benefit in accordance with section 205 and the payment of that claim is delayed for a period exceeding 12 months due solely or mainly to circumstances within the control of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs and the person has not contributed to such delay, regulations may provide for a payment to be made in respect of the loss of purchasing power, subject to such conditions and in such circumstances as may be prescribed.
(2) In the case of a person to whom subsection (1) applies, the Minister may make regulations to provide for payment of an amount of costs, subject to such minimum and maximum limits as may be prescribed, actually and necessarily incurred by the said person.”.
Carer's allowance — payment after death.
12.—Section 210(2) (as amended by section 26 of the Act of 1994) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by—
(a) the insertion after paragraph (d) of the following paragraph:
“(dd) where a person is in receipt of carer's allowance and the relevant pensioner, in respect of whom the carer is providing full-time care and attention, dies, and the carer is the spouse of that pensioner, in any case where the said carer is not entitled to payment under the provisions of paragraph (a), payment of carer's allowance, in respect of the relevant pensioner, shall continue to be made for a period of 6 weeks after the death of the relevant pensioner, and”,
and
(b) the substitution in paragraph (f) for “(a) or (c)” of “(a), (c) or (dd)” in each place where it occurs.
Amendments to section 2 of Principal Act — definitions.
13.—Section 2 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution in subsection (1) for the definition of “the Minister” of the following definition:
“‘the Minister’ means the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs;”,
(b) the substitution in subsection (3)(b)(II) for “specified in regulations.” of “specified in regulations, or”, and
(c) the insertion in subsection (3)(b) after clause (II) of the following clause:
“(III) is of or over the age of 18 years and is regarded as attending a course of study within the meaning of section 126 (3)(a).”.
PART IV
Administration of Public Service Data
Administration of public service data.
14.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for section 223 of the following sections:
“Personal public service number.
223.—(1) In this section and sections 223A, 223B and 223C—
‘primary account number’, in relation to a public service card or a card issued under section 223B, means a number consisting of—
(a) an issuer number, issued under licence from the International Standards Organisation,
(b) a personal public service number, and
(c) a card number allocated, in the case of a public service card, by the Minister or, in any other case, by the person who issued the card;
‘specified body’ means—
(a) a Minister of the Government,
(b) a local authority (for the purposes of the Local Government Act, 1941),
(c) a health board,
(d) the Revenue Commissioners,
(e) An Foras Áiseanna Saothair,
(f) An Post,
(g) An tArd-Chláraitheoir,
(h) the Legal Aid Board,
(i) the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces in respect of their own members, or
(j) such other person as may be prescribed;
‘spouse’ means—
(a) each of a married couple, or
(b) a man and woman who are not married to each other but are cohabiting as husband and wife;
‘transaction’ means—
(a) an application,
(b) a claim,
(c) a communication,
(d) a payment, or
(e) a supply of a service,
relating to public funds to or from a specified body which relates to a natural person.
(2) The Minister may allocate and issue a number (in this Act referred to as a ‘personal public service number’) to each person who is the subject of any transaction with a specified body.
(3) A person who has any transaction with a specified body shall furnish to the Minister such information, as may be prescribed, which is necessary for the allocation and issue of a personal public service number.
(4) A person shall give to a specified body his or her personal public service number and the personal public service numbers of his or her spouse and children, where relevant, as required by that body for the purposes of the person's transaction.
(5) In this section a reference to a personal public service number shall be construed as including a reference to a number known as a revenue and social insurance number.
(6) A person, other than—
(i) the person to whom the personal public service number refers,
(ii) a specified body,
(iii) a person who has a transaction with a specified body where the number is relevant to the transaction between that person and the specified body, or
(iv) a person who is required to comply with the provisions of sections 221, 222 or regulations made thereunder,
who uses a personal public service number or seeks to have a personal public service number disclosed to him or her shall be guilty of an offence.
Public service card.
223A.—(1) The Minister may issue a card (in this Act referred to as a ‘public service card’) to a person in such a format as the Minister deems fit, with—
(a) the person's name, personal public service number, primary account number and date of issue inscribed, and
(b) the person's date of birth, gender, primary account number, expiry date of card and card service code electronically encoded,
thereon and with such other information either inscribed or electronically encoded on the card as may be prescribed.
(2) A person may, on request in that behalf to the Minister, obtain within 28 days of such request, where practicable, information which is electronically encoded on his or her public service card.
(3) A person shall produce his or her public service card at the request of a specified body for the purposes of a transaction.
(4) A person who uses or attempts to use a public service card or seeks to have a public service card produced to him or her, other than—
(a) the person who is the holder of the card or a person appointed to act on behalf of the cardholder,
(b) a specified body, for the purposes of a transaction, or
(c) a person who has a transaction with a specified body where the personal public service number on the card is relevant to the transaction between that person and the specified body,
shall be guilty of an offence.
Payment card.
223B.—(1) The Minister may permit such information, as may be prescribed, to be either inscribed or electronically encoded onto a card, which is capable of being so inscribed or encoded, other than a public service card for the purpose of payment of benefit.
(2) A person may, on request in that behalf to the Minister, obtain within 28 days of such request, where practicable, information which is inscribed or electronically encoded on the card to which subsection (1) applies and which relates to him or her.
(3) A person who uses or attempts to use a card to which subsection (1) applies, who is not the holder of the card or a person appointed to act on behalf of the cardholder, for the purposes of obtaining payment of benefit shall be guilty of an offence.
Sharing of information.
223C—(1) In this section—
‘data controller’ and ‘personal data’ have the same meaning as defined in section 1 of the Data Protection Act, 1988;
‘information’ means any personal data or information extracted from such data;
‘relevant purpose’ means—
(a) for the purposes of determining entitlement to or control of—
(i) benefit,
(ii) a service provided by or under sections 45, 58, 59 and 61 of the Health Act, 1970 or regulations made thereunder,
(iii) a payment under section 44 (3) of the Health Act, 1947,
(iv) an allowance under the Blind Persons Act, 1920,
(v) a grant awarded in accordance with regulations made under section 2 (as amended by section 3 of the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1992) of the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968, or
(vi) legal aid awarded under the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995,
or
(b) for the purposes of—
(i) making an assessment in accordance with section 9 of the Housing Act, 1988,
(ii) a letting in accordance with section 11 of the Housing Act, 1988,
(iii) the determining of rent or other payment in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act, 1966,
or the control thereof.
(2) A specified body holding information may share that information with another specified body who has a transaction with a natural person relating to a relevant purpose, where the specified body seeking the information provides the personal public service number of the person who is the subject of the transaction and satisfies the data controller of the specified body holding the information that the information requested is relevant to the transaction for the said purpose between the person and the specified body seeking such information.
(3) A specified body may only seek information for the purposes of a transaction relating to a relevant purpose.
(4) Where information shared between one specified body and another is found to be inaccurate, the specified body on making the discovery shall confirm with the person the correct information and advise the other specified body of the amended information.
(5) A person who, other than for a transaction in respect of a relevant purpose, knowingly seeks or transfers any information held by a specified body relating to another, by using that other's personal public service number, shall be guilty of an offence.”.
(2) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in section 4(5) (as amended by section 37 of the Act of 1996) for “111(2) or 115(2)” of “111(2), 115(2), 223(1), 223A(1) or 223B(1)”.
Commencement (Part IV).
15.—This Part shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions.
PART V
Miscellaneous Provisions
Sums paid into and out of Social Insurance Fund.
16.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (4) of section 7 of the following subsection:
“(4) Save where otherwise specifically provided—
(a) sums payable into the Fund shall be paid into either the current account of the Fund or the investment account of the Fund, and
(b) sums payable out of the Fund shall be paid out of the current account of the Fund.”.
Actuarial review.
17.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after section 7 of the following section:
“Actuarial review.
7A.—(1) The Minister shall cause—
(a) actuarial reviews to be made into the financial condition of the Social Insurance Fund by such persons as the Minister may decide for the purpose of determining the extent to which the Fund may be expected, in the longer term, to meet the demands in respect of payment of benefits and other payments, having regard, in particular, to the adequacy or otherwise of the contributions to support benefits and other payments and such other matters as the Minister considers to be relevant as affecting the current and future financial condition of the Fund,
(b) a report to be made to the Minister on completion of any such review, and
(c) a copy of every report under this section to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas within 6 months of the completion of the review.
(2) The date of completion of the first actuarial review under this section shall be a date not later than the 31st day of December, 2002, and the date of completion of each subsequent review shall be a date not later than 5 years after the date of completion of the immediately preceding review.”.
Pre-retirement allowance — consolidation of provisions.
18.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for Chapter 3 of Part III of the following Chapter:
“CHAPTER 3
Pre-Retirement Allowance
Entitlement to allowance.
127.—(1) Subject to this Act, an allowance (in this Chapter referred to as ‘pre-retirement allowance’) shall be payable in respect of any period of retirement to a person—
(a) who has attained the age specified by regulations but has not attained pensionable age,
(b) whose weekly means, subject to subsection (4), do not exceed the amount of pre-retirement allowance (including any increases thereof) that would be payable to the person under this Chapter if that person had no means, and
(c) (i) who has been in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance in respect of not less than 390 days of unemployment in any continuous period of unemployment in the immediately preceding period as construed in accordance with section 120(3),
(ii) being a separated spouse, has not engaged in remunerative employment or self-employment at any time in such preceding period as may be prescribed, or
(iii) immediately before the week in respect of which pre-retirement allowance is claimed, was in receipt of—
(A) one-parent family payment, but has ceased to be entitled to such payment by virtue of no longer being regarded as a qualified parent within the meaning of section 157(1), or
(B) carer's allowance, but has ceased to be entitled to such allowance, by virtue of no longer being regarded as a carer within the meaning of section 163(1).
(2) (a) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c)(ii) and subject to section 3(12) a person who is separated from his or her spouse, shall continue to be regarded as a separated spouse where the marriage has been dissolved, being a dissolution that is recognised as valid in the State.
(b) Pre-retirement allowance shall, subject to this Chapter, continue to be payable to a person to whom subsection (1)(c)(ii) applies, unless that person remarries or cohabits as husband and wife, in which case the allowance shall cease.
(3) In this Chapter ‘weekly means’ shall, subject to Rule 1(6A), be the yearly means divided by 52; means shall be calculated in accordance with the Rules contained in Part I of the Third Schedule.
(4) Where the spouse of a claimant for pre-retirement allowance is not the claimant's qualified adult, or is a spouse in respect of whom an increase is payable by virtue of regulations made under section 245A, the means of the claimant shall be taken to be one-half of the means.
Rates of allowance (including increases for qualified adult and children).
128.—(1) Subject to this section and section 122, the rate of pre-retirement allowance (in this Chapter referred to as ‘the scheduled rate’) shall be the weekly rate set out in column (2) of Part I of the Fourth Schedule increased by—
(a) the amount set out in column (3) of that Part for any period during which the claimant or beneficiary has a qualified adult, subject to the restriction that the claimant or beneficiary shall not be entitled to an increase under this paragraph in respect of more than one person, and
(b) the appropriate amount set out in column (4) of that Part in respect of each qualified child who normally resides with the claimant or beneficiary.
(2) Pre-retirement allowance shall be payable where—
(a) the weekly means of the claimant or beneficiary do not exceed £2, at the scheduled rate, and
(b) such weekly means exceed £2, at the scheduled rate reduced by £2 for each amount (if any) of £2 by which those weekly means exceed £2, any fraction of £2 in those weekly means being treated for this purpose as £2:
Provided that, if the rate calculated pursuant to this paragraph at which, but for this proviso, the pre-retirement allowance would be payable is—
(i) equal to or greater than 10p but less than £1, the allowance shall be payable at the weekly rate of £1, and
(ii) less than 10p, the allowance shall not be payable.
(3) Any increase of pre-retirement allowance payable pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection (1) in respect of a qualified child who normally resides with the claimant or beneficiary and with the spouse of the claimant or beneficiary shall be payable at the rate of one-half of the appropriate amount in any case where the spouse of the claimant or beneficiary is not a qualified adult and paragraph (b) of subsection (1) shall be construed and have effect accordingly.
Regulations.
129.—The Minister may make regulations for the purpose of giving effect to this Chapter and such regulations may, in particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing—
(a) specify the age for the purposes of section 127(1)(a),
(b) specify the periods which shall be regarded as periods of retirement for the purposes of this Chapter,
(c) specify the circumstances in which a person is to be regarded as a separated spouse for the purposes of section 127(1)(c)(ii), and
(d) vary the weekly rate of pre-retirement allowance under section 128, but any such variation shall not reduce the weekly rates applicable immediately before the commencement of such regulations.
Integration of single woman's allowance scheme with pre-retirement allowance scheme.
130.—(1) Notwithstanding this Chapter and regulations made hereunder, where, immediately before the 5th day of November, 1992 (in this Chapter referred to as ‘the appointed day’) a woman, who had not attained pensionable age, was in receipt of single woman's allowance, pre-retirement allowance shall be payable to her from the appointed day at the same rate as the said single woman's allowance which was payable to her immediately before the said day:
Provided that she continues to satisfy the conditions as to means in accordance with section 127(3).
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a woman who was in receipt of single woman's allowance immediately before the appointed day shall be deemed—
(a) to be retired within the meaning of regulations made for the purposes of section 129(b), and
(b) to have complied with the requirement contained in section 127(1)(b).
(3) Any decision made by a deciding officer or by an appeals officer in relation to the award of a single woman's allowance to a woman prior to the appointed day shall be deemed to be a decision to award pre-retirement allowance to such person on and from the said day.
(4) In this Chapter a reference to ‘single woman's allowance’ means single woman's allowance which was payable by virtue of section 198 (repealed by section 37 of the Social Welfare Act, 1992) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981, and regulations made thereunder.”.
Blind pension.
19.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (1) of section 141 of the following subsection:
“141.—(1) Subject to this Act—
(a) subject to paragraph (b), every blind person who has attained the age of 18 years shall be entitled to receive and to continue to receive such pension (in this Act referred to as ‘a blind pension’) as, under Chapter 4 of this Part, he or she would be entitled to receive if he or she had attained pensionable age, subject to the modification that—
(i) the rate of blind pension payable shall be the weekly rate set out in column (2), reference 5 in Part I of the Fourth Schedule, and
(ii) the increase payable by virtue of section 137(a), where the beneficiary has attained pensionable age, shall be as set out in Part II of the Fourth Schedule and in all other cases shall be as set out in Part IIA of the Fourth Schedule,
and
(b) the provisions of the said Chapter 4 shall apply in all respects in the case of such person, subject to the modifications that for the statutory conditions contained in section 134(a) there shall be substituted the conditions that the person must—
(i) have attained the age of 18 years, and
(ii) be so blind that he or she either cannot perform any work for which eyesight is essential or cannot continue his or her ordinary occupation.”.
Recovery of debts.
20.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after section 279A (inserted by section 31 of the Act of 1997) of the following section:
“Recovery of debts.
279B.—Where a person has received moneys from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, which he or she was not entitled to receive, such person shall be liable to repay—
(a) in the case of benefit, to the Social Insurance Fund,
(b) in the case of assistance (other than supplementary welfare allowance), child benefit, family income supplement or continued payment for qualified children, to the Minister,
(c) in the case of supplementary welfare allowance, to the health board,
on demand a sum not exceeding the amount of such money received.”.
(2) Section 281 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsections (6) and (7) of the following subsections:
“(6) Any benefit, assistance, family income supplement or continued payment for qualified children repayable in accordance with section 278, 279, 279A or 279B may, without prejudice to any other method of recovery, be recovered by deduction from any benefit, assistance (except supplementary welfare allowance) or family income supplement to which such person then is or becomes entitled.
(7) Any child benefit repayable in accordance with section 278, 279, 279A or 279B may, without prejudice to any other method of recovery, be recovered by deduction from any payment or payments on account of child benefit to which such person then is or becomes entitled.”.
Disablement benefit — claims made outside the prescribed time.
21.—Section 205 of the Principal Act (as amended by section 32 of the Act of 1997) is hereby amended by—
(a) the insertion in subsection (2)(c) after “occupational injuries benefit” of “(other than disablement benefit under section 54, an increase in disablement benefit under sections 56 and 57 or death benefit by way of pension under sections 60, 61 and 62)”, and
(b) the substitution for subsection (2)(d), (e) and the proviso of the following paragraphs and proviso:
“(d) in the case of disability benefit, sickness allowance or disability allowance, in respect of any period more than 7 days before the date on which the claim is made,
(e) in the case of maternity benefit—
(i) where the claim is made before the end of the week of confinement, payment in respect of any period before the beginning of the week in which the claim is made,
(ii) where the claim is made after the end of the week of confinement, payment in respect of any period before the beginning of the seventh week before the week in which the claim is made not being earlier than the commencement of the week of confinement, and
(f) in the case of disablement benefit under section 54, an increase in disablement benefit under section 56 or section 57 or death benefit by way of pension under sections 60, 61 or 62, in respect of any period more than 3 months before the date on which the claim is made:
Provided that in the case of a benefit to which paragraphs (c), (d), (e) or (f) apply, where a claimant proves to the satisfaction of a deciding officer or an appeals officer that—
(I) on a date earlier than the date on which his or her claim for benefit (including any increase thereof) was made, apart from satisfying the condition of making a claim, he or she was entitled thereto, and
(II) throughout the period between the earlier date and the date on which his or her claim was made there was good cause for the delay in making a claim, he or she shall not be disqualified for receiving payment in respect of any such period referred to in subparagraph (I) which does not exceed 6 months before the date on which the claim is made.”, and
(c) the substitution in subsection (2D) for “an officer of the Minister appointed by the Minister for this purpose.” of “a deciding officer or an appeals officer, as the case may be.”.
Offences — non-disclosure of information.
22.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for section 221 of the following section:
“Information required by Minister.
221.—(1) For the purposes of controlling and investigating entitlement to any benefit, under this Act or under schemes administered by or on behalf of the Minister, the Minister may require such persons as may be prescribed to provide him or her with such information in relation to such persons or classes of persons as may be prescribed.
(2) A person who fails to comply with a requirement made of him or her under subsection (1) or regulations made thereunder shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500.”.
Appointment of officers.
23.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (1) of section 212 of the following subsection:
“Social welfare inspectors.
212.—(1) The Minister, or an officer authorised in that behalf by special or general directions of the Minister, may appoint such and so many officers as is appropriate to be social welfare inspectors for the purposes of such provisions of Parts II, III, IV, V, VA, IX and this Part as he or she may determine in the case of such appointments.”.
(2) A social welfare inspector appointed under section 212(1) of the Principal Act and holding office immediately before the commencement of this section shall continue in office as if appointed under subsection (1) (inserted by this section) of section 212.
Liable relative.
24.—(1) Section 2 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after subsection (4) (inserted by section 38 of the Act of 1996) of the following subsection:
“(5) Subject to Part IX of this Act ‘liable relative’ means in relation to any person—
(a) a man who is liable to maintain—
(i) his wife,
(ii) his former wife where the marriage has been dissolved, being a dissolution that is recognised as valid in the State,
while she is in receipt of an allowance or benefit, and
(iii) any qualified child of his in respect of whom an increase in allowance or benefit is payable to the mother, or
(b) a woman who is liable to maintain—
(i) her husband,
(ii) her former husband where the marriage has been dissolved, being a dissolution that is recognised as valid in the State,
while he is in receipt of an allowance, and
(iii) any qualified child of hers in respect of whom an increase in allowance is payable to the father.”.
(2) Section 247 of the Principal Act (as amended by section 29 of the Act of 1997) is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (2) for paragraph (dd) (inserted by section 7(3) of the Act of 1996) and (e) of the following paragraphs:
“(e) Part VA (continued payment for qualified children),
(f) Part VI (general provisions relating to social insurance, social assistance and insurability), and
(g) Part IX (liability to maintain family).”.
(3) Section 29(1)(b) of the Act of 1997 is hereby revoked.
(4) Section 284(1) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for the definition of “allowance” of the following definition—
“‘allowance’ means one-parent family payment, supplementary welfare allowance or a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(a) or (b) of the Social Welfare Act, 1996,”.
(5) Section 286 (as amended by section 29 of the Act of 1997) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (4) of the following subsection:
“(4) Where a judge of the District Court is satisfied that, at the time of the hearing of an application by the competent authority under subsection (2), the liable relative had failed or neglected to make the contribution required under this section and was able to contribute to the allowance granted, the judge shall order the payment thereof to the competent authority in such a manner as he or she considers proper.”.
Commencement (Part V).
25.—This Part shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes and different provisions.
PART VI
Amendment of Health Contributions Act, 1979 and Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981
Amendment of section 7A of Health Contributions Act, 1979.
26.—(1) Section 7A of the Health Contributions Act, 1979, is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution in paragraph (1)(a) of “£207” for “£197” (inserted by section 38(1)(a)(i) of the Act of 1997),
(b) the substitution in paragraph (1)(b) of “£10,750” for “£10,250” (inserted by section 38(1)(a)(ii) of the Act of 1997), and
(c) the substitution in subsection (2) of “£10,750” for “£10,250” (inserted by section 38(1)(b) of the Act of 1997).
(2) This section shall come into operation on the 6th day of April, 1998.
Amendment of section 18A of Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981.
27.—(1) Section 18A of the Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981, is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution in paragraph (1)(a) of “£207” for “£197” (inserted by section 39(1)(a)(i) of the Act of 1997),
(b) the substitution in paragraph (1)(b) of “£10,750” for “£10,250” (inserted by section 39(1)(a)(ii) of the Act of 1997), and
(c) the substitution in subsection (2) of “£10,750” for “£10,250” (inserted by section 39(1)(b) of the Act of 1997).
(2) This section shall come into operation on the 6th day of April, 1998.
PART VII
Amendment of section 54 of Pensions Act, 1990
Amendment of section 54 of Pensions Act, 1990.
28.—Section 54 (as amended by section 20 of the Pensions (Amendment) Act, 1996) of the Pensions Act, 1990, is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution for subsections (1), (2) and (3) of the following subsection:
“(1) The trustees of a scheme shall furnish such information to such persons in such circumstances and within such time limits as may be prescribed in relation to the following, that is to say—
(a) the constitution of the scheme,
(b) the administration and finances of the scheme,
(c) the rights and obligations that arise or may arise under the scheme, and
(d) such other matters as may be prescribed which appear to the Minister to be relevant to schemes in general or to schemes of a particular description to which the scheme belongs.”,
(b) the insertion in subsection (4) of the following paragraph after paragraph (b):
“(c) the Board may by notice in writing request an employer to whom a scheme relates or the trustees of a scheme to furnish the Board with such information and within such time limits as the Board may specify in relation to the matters described in subsection (1) and the employer or the trustees shall comply with any such request.”,
and
(c) the deletion in subsection (5) of “or regulations under subsection (3)”.
SCHEDULE A
“Second Schedule
Rates of Benefits
PART I
Rates of Periodical Benefits and Increases Thereof
Description of benefit | Weekly rate | Increase for qualified adult (where payable) | Increase for each qualified child (where payable) | Increase for prescribed relative under section 167 (where payable) | Increase where the person has attained pensionable age and is living alone (where payable) | Increase where the person has attained the age of 80 years (where payable) |
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) |
£ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
1. Disability Benefit, Unemployment Benefit, Injury Benefit and Health and Safety Benefit | 70.50 | 41.20 | 13.20 | — | — | — |
2. Death Benefit: | ||||||
(a) pension payable to a widow or widower under section 60 | 92.40 | — | 17.00 | 41.80 | 6.00 | — |
(b) pension payable to a parent | ||||||
(i) reduced rate | 43.20 | — | — | 41.80 | 6.00 | — |
(ii) maximum rate | 92.40 | — | — | 41.80 | 6.00 | — |
(c) pension payable to an orphan | 50.90 | — | — | — | — | — |
3. Old Age (Contributory) Pension and Retirement Pension: | 83.00 | 52.50 | 15.20 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
additional increase for a qualified adult who has attained pensionable age | — | 4.40 | — | — | — | — |
4. Invalidity Pension: | 72.20 | 46.50 | 15.20 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
additional increase for a beneficiary who has attained the age of 65 years | 10.80 | — | — | — | — | — |
5. Widow's and Widower's (Contributory) Pension and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(a) of the Social Welfare Act, 1996: | 74.10 | — | 17.00 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
additional increase for a beneficiary who has attained pensionable age | 2.00 | — | — | — | — | — |
6. Orphan's (Contributory) Allowance | 48.60 | — | — | — | — | — |
PART II
Occupational Injuries Benefits — Gratuities and Grant
Description of Grant | Amount |
(1) | (2) |
£ | |
1. Disablement Benefit: | |
Maximum gratuity | 6,590 |
2. Death Benefit: | |
Grant in respect of funeral expenses | 330 |
PART III
Disablement Pension
Degree of disablement | Weekly rate | ||
(1) | (2) | ||
£ | |||
100 | per | cent. | 94.20 |
90 | ” | ” | 84.80 |
80 | ” | ” | 75.40 |
70 | ” | ” | 65.90 |
60 | ” | ” | 56.50 |
50 | ” | ” | 47.10 |
40 | ” | ” | 37.70 |
30 | ” | ” | 28.30 |
20 | ” | ” | 18.80 |
PART IV
Increases of Disablement Pension
Description of Increase | Weekly Rate |
(1) | (2) |
£ | |
1. Increase where the person is permanently incapable of work | 70.50 |
2. Increase where the person requires constant attendance: | |
(a) limit of increase except in cases of exceptionally severe disablement | 39.60 |
(b) limit in any other case | 77.60 |
”.
SCHEDULE B
“Fourth Schedule
Rates of Assistance
PART I
Rates of Periodical Social Assistance and Increases Thereof
Description of assistance | Weekly rate | Increase for qualified adult (where payable) | Increase for each qualified child (where payable) | Increase for prescribed relative under section 167 (where payable) | Increase where the person has attained pensionable age and is living alone (where payable) | Increase where the person has attained the age of 80 years (where payable) |
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) |
£ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
1. Unemployment Assistance: | ||||||
(a) in the case of a person to whom section 121 (1) (a) applies | 70.50 | 41.20 | 13.20 | — | — | — |
(b) in the case of a person to whom section 121 (1) (b) applies | 68.40 | 41.20 | 13.20 | — | — | — |
2. Pre-Retirement Allowance | 70.50 | 41.20 | 13.20 | — | — | — |
3. Disability Allowance | 70.50 | 41.20 | 13.20 | — | — | — |
4. Old Age (Non-Contributory) Pension | 72.50 | — | 13.20 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
5. Blind Pension: | 70.50 | — | 13.20 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
additional increase for a beneficiary who has attained pensionable age | 2.00 | — | — | — | — | — |
6. Widow's (Non-Contributory) Pension, Widower's (Non-Contributory) Pension and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(b) or (c) of the Social Welfare Act, 1996: | 70.50 | — | — | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
additional increase for a beneficiary who has attained pensionable age | 2.00 | — | — | — | — | — |
7. One-Parent Family Payment: | 70.50 | — | 15.20 | — | — | 5.00 |
additional increase for a beneficiary who has attained pensionable age | 2.00 | — | — | — | — | — |
8. Carer's Allowance: | ||||||
(a) in the case of a person to whom section 165(1)(a) applies | 110.30 | — | 13.20 | — | — | — |
additional increase for a beneficiary who has attained pensionable age | 3.00 | — | — | — | — | — |
(b) in the case of a person to whom section 165(1)(b) applies | 73.50 | — | 13.20 | — | — | — |
additional increase for a beneficiary who has attained pensionable age | 2.00 | — | — | — | — | — |
9. Orphan's (Non-Contributory) Pension | 48.60 | — | — | — | — | — |
10. Supplementary Welfare Allowance | 68.40 | 41.20 | 13.20 | — | — | — |
PART II
Increase of Old Age (Non-Contributory) Pension and Increase of Blind Pension (where Beneficiary has attained Pensionable Age) for One of a Couple
Means of claimant or pensioner | Weekly rate of increase |
£ | |
Where the weekly means of the claimant or pensioner do not exceed £6 | 41.20 |
exceed £6 but do not exceed £8 | 40.20 |
exceed £8 but do not exceed £10 | 39.20 |
exceed £10 but do not exceed £12 | 38.20 |
exceed £12 but do not exceed £14 | 37.20 |
exceed £14 but do not exceed £16 | 36.20 |
exceed £16 but do not exceed £18 | 35.20 |
exceed £18 but do not exceed £20 | 34.20 |
exceed £20 but do not exceed £22 | 33.20 |
exceed £22 but do not exceed £24 | 32.20 |
exceed £24 but do not exceed £26 | 31.20 |
exceed £26 but do not exceed £28 | 30.20 |
exceed £28 but do not exceed £30 | 29.20 |
exceed £30 but do not exceed £32 | 28.20 |
exceed £32 but do not exceed £34 | 27.20 |
exceed £34 but do not exceed £36 | 26.20 |
exceed £36 but do not exceed £38 | 25.20 |
exceed £38 but do not exceed £40 | 24.20 |
exceed £40 but do not exceed £42 | 23.20 |
exceed £42 but do not exceed £44 | 22.20 |
exceed £44 but do not exceed £46 | 21.20 |
exceed £46 but do not exceed £48 | 20.20 |
exceed £48 but do not exceed £50 | 19.20 |
exceed £50 but do not exceed £52 | 18.20 |
exceed £52 but do not exceed £54 | 17.20 |
exceed £54 but do not exceed £56 | 16.20 |
exceed £56 but do not exceed £58 | 15.20 |
exceed £58 but do not exceed £60 | 14.20 |
exceed £60 but do not exceed £62 | 13.20 |
exceed £62 but do not exceed £64 | 12.20 |
exceed £64 but do not exceed £66 | 11.20 |
exceed £66 but do not exceed £68 | 10.20 |
exceed £68 but do not exceed £70 | 9.20 |
exceed £70 but do not exceed £72 | 8.20 |
exceed £72 but do not exceed £74 | 7.20 |
exceed £74 but do not exceed £76 | 6.20 |
exceed £76 | Nil |
PART IIA
Increase of Blind Pension for One of a Couple (Where the Beneficiary has not Attained Pensionable Age)
Means of claimant or pensioner | Weekly rate of increase |
£ | |
Where the weekly means of the claimant or pensioner do not exceed £6 | 41.20 |
exceed £6 but do not exceed £8 | 40.20 |
exceed £8 but do not exceed £10 | 39.20 |
exceed £10 but do not exceed £12 | 38.20 |
exceed £12 but do not exceed £14 | 37.20 |
exceed £14 but do not exceed £16 | 36.20 |
exceed £16 but do not exceed £18 | 35.20 |
exceed £18 but do not exceed £20 | 34.20 |
exceed £20 but do not exceed £22 | 33.20 |
exceed £22 but do not exceed £24 | 32.20 |
exceed £24 but do not exceed £26 | 31.20 |
exceed £26 but do not exceed £28 | 30.20 |
exceed £28 but do not exceed £30 | 29.20 |
exceed £30 but do not exceed £32 | 28.20 |
exceed £32 but do not exceed £34 | 27.20 |
exceed £34 but do not exceed £36 | 26.20 |
exceed £36 but do not exceed £38 | 25.20 |
exceed £38 but do not exceed £40 | 24.20 |
exceed £40 but do not exceed £42 | 23.20 |
exceed £42 but do not exceed £44 | 22.20 |
exceed £44 but do not exceed £46 | 21.20 |
exceed £46 but do not exceed £48 | 20.20 |
exceed £48 but do not exceed £50 | 19.20 |
exceed £50 but do not exceed £52 | 18.20 |
exceed £52 but do not exceed £54 | 17.20 |
exceed £54 but do not exceed £56 | 16.20 |
exceed £56 but do not exceed £58 | 15.20 |
exceed £58 but do not exceed £60 | 14.20 |
exceed £60 but do not exceed £62 | 13.20 |
exceed £62 but do not exceed £64 | 12.20 |
exceed £64 but do not exceed £66 | 11.20 |
exceed £66 but do not exceed £68 | 10.20 |
exceed £68 but do not exceed £70 | 9.20 |
exceed £70 but do not exceed £72 | 8.20 |
exceed £72 but do not exceed £74 | 7.20 |
exceed £74 | Nil |
”.
Uimhir 6 de 1998
AN tACHT LEASA SHÓISIALAIGH, 1998
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach
Alt | |
1. | |
2. | |
3. |
Méaduithe
Feabhsuithe ar Scéimeanna Leasa Shóisialaigh
10. | |
11. | |
12. | |
13. |
Sonraí Seirbhíse Poiblí a Riaradh
14. | |
15. |
Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha
16. | Suimeanna a íoc isteach sa Chiste Árachais Shóisialaigh agus amach as. |
17. | |
18. | |
19. | |
20. | |
21. | Sochar míthreorach — éilimh a dhéantar lasmuigh den am forordaithe. |
22. | |
23. | |
24. | |
25. |
Leasú ar an Acht um Ranníocaí Sláinte, 1979, agus ar an Acht um Ghníomhaireacht Fostaíochta don Aos Óg, 1981
26. | |
27. | Leasú ar alt 18A den Acht um Ghníomhaireacht Fostaíochta don Aos Óg, 1981. |
Leasú ar alt 54 d'Acht na bPinsean, 1990
28. |
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Blind Persons Act, 1920 | 1920, c. 49 |
An tAcht um Chúnamh Dlíthiúil Sibhialta, 1995 | 1995, Uimh. 32 |
Acht na dTithe (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 1992 | 1992, Uimh. 18 |
An tAcht um Údaráis Áitiúla (Deontais Ardoideachais), 1992 | 1992, Uimh. 19 |
Acht na bPinsean (Leasú), 1996 | 1996, Uimh. 18 |
An tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1992 | 1992, Uimh. 5 |
An tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1994 | 1994, Uimh. 4 |
An tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh (Uimh. 2), 1995 | 1995, Uimh. 23 |
An tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1996 | 1996, Uimh. 7 |
An tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 10 |
An tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh (Comhdhlúthú), 1993 | 1993, Uimh. 27 |
An tAcht Comhdhlúite Cánacha, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 39 |
Uimhir 6 de 1998
AN tACHT LEASA SHÓISIALAIGH, 1998
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHT DO LEASÚ AGUS DO LEATHNÚ NA nACHTANNA LEASA SHÓISIALAIGH, ALT 7A DEN ACHT UM RANNÍOCAÍ SLÁINTE, 1979, ALT 18A DEN ACHT UM GHNÍOMHAIREACHT FOSTAÍOCHTA DON AOS ÓG, 1981, AGUS ALT 54 D'ACHT NA bPINSEAN, 1990.
[1 Aibreán, 1998]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
CUID I
Réamhráiteach
Gearrtheideal agus forléiriú.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1998, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Déanfar na hAchtanna Leasa Shóisialaigh agus an tAcht seo (seachas Codanna VI agus VII) a fhorléiriú le chéile mar aon Acht amháin.
Mínithe.
2.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Acht” an tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh (Comhdhlúthú), 1993;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1994” an tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1994;
ciallaíonn “Acht Uimh. 2 de 1995” an tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh (Uimh. 2), 1995;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1996” an tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1996;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1997” an tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1997.
Ionstraimí a bhuanú.
3.—Aon ionstraim a rinneadh faoi fhoráil den Phríomh-Acht a leasaítear leis an Acht seo agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme an leasaithe, leanfaidh sí de bheith i bhfeidhm amhail is dá mbeadh sí déanta faoin bhforáil arna leasú amhlaidh.
CUID II
Méaduithe
Sochair árachais shóisialaigh (rátaí nua).
4.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht trí na Codanna atá leagtha amach i Sceideal A a ghabhann leis an Acht seo a chur in ionad Chodanna I go IV (a cuireadh isteach le halt 3 d'Acht 1997) den Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht sin.
(2) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh—
(a) a mhéid a bhaineann sé le sochar dífhostaíochta, an 28ú lá de Bhealtaine, 1998,
(b) a mhéid a bhaineann sé le sochar míchumais, sochar sláinte agus sábháilteachta, sochar díobhála, aisce mhíthreorach agus pinsean míthreorach, an 1ú lá de Mheitheamh, 1998,
(c) a mhéid a bhaineann sé le pinsean scoir, pinsean easláine agus íocaíocht iomchuí de bhua alt 18(1)(a) d'Acht 1996, an 4ú lá de Mheitheamh, 1998, agus
(d) a mhéid a bhaineann sé le sochar báis faoi alt 60, 61, 62 nó 63 den Phríomh-Acht, pinsean seanaoise (ranníocach), pinsean baintrí agus baintrí fir (ranníocach) agus liúntas dílleachta (ranníocach), an 5ú lá de Mheitheamh, 1998.
Íocaíochtaí cúnaimh shóisialaigh (rátaí nua).
5.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht trí na Codanna atá leagtha amach i Sceideal B a ghabhann leis an Acht seo a chur in ionad Chodanna I agus II (a cuireadh isteach le halt 4 d'Acht 1997) den Cheathrú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht sin.
(2) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh—
(a) a mhéid a bhaineann sé le cúnamh dífhostaíochta agus liúntas míchumais, an 27ú lá de Bhealtaine, 1998,
(b) a mhéid a bhaineann sé le liúntas leasa forlíontach, an 1ú lá de Mheitheamh, 1998,
(c) a mhéid a bhaineann sé le liúntas réamhscoir, íocaíocht teaghlaigh aontuismitheora (seachas i gcás í a bheith iníoctha i leith baintrí nó baintrí fir), liúntas cúramóra, liúntas gaoil fhorordaithe agus íocaíocht iomchuí de bhua alt 18(1)(b) nó (c) d'Acht 1996, an 4ú lá de Mheitheamh, 1998, agus
(d) a mhéid a bhaineann sé le pinsean seanaoise (neamhranníocach), pinsean dall, pinsean baintrí agus baintrí fir (neamhranníocach), íocaíocht teaghlaigh aontuismitheora is iníoctha i leith baintrí nó baintrí fir agus pinsean dílleachta (neamhranníocach), an 5ú lá de Mheitheamh, 1998.
Sochar linbh (rátaí nua, etc.).
6.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Ceathrú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht tríd an gCuid seo a leanas a chur in ionad Chuid III (a cuireadh isteach le halt 5 d'Acht 1997):
“CUID III
Na Méideanna Sochair Linbh
An méid i leith gach linbh den chéad 2 leanbh | An méid i leith gach linbh de bhreis ar 2 |
(1) | (2) |
£31.50 | £42.00 |
”.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 194 den Phríomh-Acht (arna leasú le halt 5 d'Acht 1996)—
(a) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2):
“(2) D'ainneoin aon ní sa Chuid seo, is é an sochar míosúil is iníoctha le duine cáilithe i leith linbh cháilithe a saolaíodh—
(a) in ilbhreith bheirt leanbh, a bhfanfaidh beirt díobh cáilithe, 150 faoin gcéad den mhéid mar atá leagtha amach i gCuid III den Cheathrú Sceideal, nó
(b) in ilbhreith triúr leanbh nó níos mó—
(i) a bhfanfaidh triúr ar a laghad díobh cáilithe, 200 faoin gcéad den mhéid mar atá leagtha amach i gCuid III den Cheathrú Sceideal,
(ii) a bhfanfaidh beirt ar a laghad díobh cáilithe, 150 faoin gcéad den mhéid mar atá leagtha amach i gCuid III den Cheathrú Sceideal, agus
(iii) a bhfanfaidh duine amháin díobh cáilithe, suim a bheidh iníoctha de réir an mhéid atá leagtha amach i gCuid III den Cheathrú Sceideal.”,
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (4):
“(4) £500 méid an deontais a bheidh iníoctha de réir fho-alt (3).”,
agus
(c) trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-ailt (6A) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 5 d'Acht 1996) agus (7):
“(7) Faoi réir an Achta seo, aon duine a bheidh cáilithe le haghaidh sochair linbh, déanfar deontas £500 i leith ilbhreithe beirt leanbh cháilithe nó níos mó a íoc leis nó léi ar chothrom ceithre bliana agus dhá bhliain déag bhreith an duine is déanaí a rugadh san ilbhreith sin.
(8) Aon deontas a íocfar faoi fho-alt (3) nó faoi fho-alt (7), íocfar é i dteannta aon sochair linbh is iníoctha mar shochar míosúil faoin gCuid seo i leith na leanaí lena mbaineann.”.
(3) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh an 1ú lá de Mheán Fómhair, 1998.
Forlíonadh ar ioncam teaghlaigh (rátaí seachtainiúla nua, etc.).
7.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 197 den Phríomh-Acht tríd an míniú seo a leanas a chur in ionad an mhínithe ar “ioncam seachtainiúil teaghlaigh” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 6 d'Acht 1997):
“ciallaíonn ‘ioncam seachtainiúil teaghlaigh’, faoi réir rialachán faoi alt 202, an méid ioncaim a fhaigheann teaghlach in aon seachtain amháin, lúide—
(i) aon ranníoc inlamhála dá dtagraítear i Rialacháin 59 agus 60 (a cuireadh isteach leis na Rialacháin Chánach Ioncaim (Fostaíochtaí), 1972 (I.R. Uimh. 260 de 1972)) de na Rialacháin Chánach Ioncaim (Fostaíochtaí), 1960 (I.R. Uimh. 28 de 1960),
(ii) aon cháin ioncaim is iníoctha faoi fhorálacha na nAchtanna Cánach Ioncaim mar a mhínítear in alt 1 den Acht Comhdhlúite Cánacha, 1997, is infheidhme maidir le Sceideal E,
(iii) aon ranníocaí is iníoctha faoi alt 10(1)(b) nó rialacháin arna ndéanamh faoi alt 11,
(iv) aon ranníocaí is iníoctha faoi alt 5 den Acht um Ranníocaí Sláinte, 1979,
(v) aon ranníocaí is iníoctha faoi alt 16 den Acht um Ghníomhaireacht Fostaíochta don Aos Óg, 1981, nó
(vi) aon ioncam de chuid duine ar leanbh é i leith an teaghlaigh sin.”.
(2) Tiocfaidh fo-alt (1) i ngníomh an 1ú lá de Dheireadh Fómhair, 1998.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 198 (a cuireadh isteach le halt 6 d'Acht 1997):
“Teideal chun forlíonadh. | 198.—Faoi réir an Achta seo, beidh liúntas (dá ngairtear ‘forlíonadh ar ioncam teaghlaigh’ san Acht seo) iníoctha as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas i leith teaghlaigh más lú an t-ioncam seachtainiúil teaghlaigh ná— (a) i gcás teaghlaigh nach bhfuil ach 1 leanbh ann, £212, (b) i gcás teaghlaigh a bhfuil 2 leanbh ann, £232, (c) i gcás teaghlaigh a bhfuil 3 leanbh ann, £252, (d) i gcás teaghlaigh a bhfuil 4 leanbh ann, £272, (e) i gcás teaghlaigh a bhfuil 5 leanbh ann, £297, (f) i gcás teaghlaigh a bhfuil 6 leanbh ann, £317, (g) i gcás teaghlaigh a bhfuil 7 leanbh ann, £334, nó (h) i gcás teaghlaigh a bhfuil 8 leanbh nó níos mó ann, £351.”. |
(4) Tiocfaidh fo-alt (3) i ngníomh an 4ú lá de Mheitheamh, 1998.
Ranníocaí fostaíochta (méaduithe ar na huasteorainneacha tuillimh, etc.).
8.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 10 den Phríomh-Acht—
(a) trí “£100” a chur in ionad “£80” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 8(1)(a) d'Acht 1996) i bhfo-alt (1)(b),
(b) trí “£24,200” a chur in ionad “£23,200” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 8(1)(b) d'Acht 1997) i bhfo-alt (1)(c),
(c) trí “£270” a chur in ionad “£260” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 8(1)(c) d'Acht 1997) i bhfo-alt (1)(d)(i) agus (ii), agus
(d) trí “£29,000” a chur in ionad “£27,900” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 8(1)(d) d'Acht 1997) i bhfo-alt (1)(e).
(2) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh an 6ú lá d'Aibreán, 1998.
Ranníocaí féinfhostaíochta (méadú ar an uasteorainn ioncaim).
9.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 18(1) den Phríomh-Acht trí “£24,200” a chur in ionad “£23,200” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 9(1) d'Acht 1997) i mír (d).
(2) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh an 6ú lá d'Aibreán, 1998.
CUID III
Feabhsuithe ar Scéimeanna Leasa Shóisialaigh
Acmhainn a mheasúnú — feabhsuithe.
10.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo Riail 1 de Chuid I den Tríú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht—
(a) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (p) i mír (2) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 26(1)(a) d'Acht 1997):
“(p) seachas i gcás liúntais míchumais agus faoi réir mhír (6) agus (6A), aon airgead a thuillfidh sé nó a chéile ó fhostaíocht inárachaithe de chineál séasúrach.”,
(b) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh mhír (6) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 11(1)(b) d'Acht Uimh. 2 de 1995):
“(6A) seachas i gcás liúntais míchumais, luach an airgid go léir a gheobhaidh a chéile nó a céile ó fhostaíocht inárachaithe de chineál séasúrach, arna fhionnadh sa tslí fhorordaithe, le linn na tréimhse ina mbeidh a chéile nó a céile ag gabháil don fhostaíocht sin, agus measfar gurb é an luach arna ríomh amhlaidh acmhainn sheachtainiúil an duine sin ón bhfostaíocht sin.”,
agus
(c) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (r) i mír (2):
“(r) seachas i gcás liúntais míchumais, méid £2,000 mar aon le leath d'aon mhéid de bhreis ar £2,000 a gheofar faoi na scéimeanna seo a leanas:
(i) an Scéim um Chosaint na Timpeallachta Tuaithe a riarann an tAire Talmhaíochta agus Bia, agus
(ii) an Scéim um Limistéir Chaomhantais Speisialta a riarann an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán,”.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo Riail 1(4) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 26(1)(c) d'Acht 1997) de Chuid II den Tríú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht—
(a) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fhomhír (b):
“(bb) i gcás liúntais cúramóra, méid nach mó ná an méid uasta atá leagtha amach ag colún (2), tagairt 3 de Chuid I den Dara Sceideal, d'íocaíocht a fhreagraíonn do phinsean easláine faoi Chaibidil 15 de Chuid II, ó Bhallstát eile nó faoi reachtaíocht aon Stáit eile a bhfuil socrú cómhalartach déanta ag an Aire leis faoi fhorálacha alt 238,”,
(b) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (q):
“(q) i gcás pinsin seanaoise (neamhranníocach), méid £2,000 mar aon le leath d'aon mhéid de bhreis ar £2,000 a gheofar faoi na scéimeanna seo a leanas:
(i) an Scéim um Chosaint na Timpeallachta Tuaithe a riarann an tAire Talmhaíochta agus Bia, agus
(ii) an Scéim um Limistéir Chaomhantais Speisialta a riarann an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán,”,
agus
(c) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (t):
“(t) chun críocha pinsin seanaoise (neamhranníocach) agus pinsin baintrí agus baintrí fir (neamhranníocach), aon airgead a gheofar i leith cíosa ó dhuine a chónaíonn leis an éilitheoir nó leis an tairbhí agus, murach cónaí an duine sin, go mbeadh cónaí ar an éilitheoir nó ar an tairbhí ina aonar nó ina haonar,”.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo alt 4(4)(a) (arna leasú le halt 26(2) d'Acht 1997) den Phríomh-Acht trí “, 1(6) agus 1(6A)” a chur in ionad “agus 1(6)”.
(4) Leasaítear leis seo alt 119 (arna leasú le halt 11(3) d'Acht Uimh. 2 de 1995) den Phríomh-Acht trí “Faoi réir Riail 1(6) nó Riail 1(6A), de réir mar a bheidh,” a chur in ionad “Faoi réir Riail 1(6),” sa mhíniú ar “acmhainn sheachtainiúil”.
Íocaíocht i leith cumhacht ceannaigh a chailleadh.
11.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 206:
“Íocaíocht i leith cumhacht ceannaigh a chailleadh. | 206A.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh duine éileamh ar aon sochar de réir alt 205 agus go gcuirtear moill le híoc an éilimh sin ar feadh tréimhse is faide ná 12 mhí agus gur imthosca atá faoi rialú na Roinne Gnóthaí Sóisialacha, Pobail agus Teaghlaigh is aonchúis nó is príomhchúis leis an moill agus nach bhfuil baint ag an duine leis an moill sin, féadfar a fhoráil le rialacháin go ndéanfar íocaíocht i leith na cumhachta ceannaigh a cailleadh, faoi réir cibé coinníollacha agus i cibé imthosca a fhorordófar. (2) I gcás duine lena mbaineann fo-alt (1), féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh chun go ndéanfar foráil maidir le méid costas a íoc, faoi réir cibé teorainneacha íosta agus uasta a fhorordófar, a bheidh tabhaithe iarbhír agus de riachtanas ag an duine sin.”. |
Liúntas cúramóra — íocaíocht tar éis bháis.
12.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 210(2) (arna leasú le halt 26 d'Acht 1994) den Phríomh-Acht—
(a) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh mhír (d):
“(dd) i gcás ina mbeidh liúntas cúramóra á fháil ag duine agus go bhfaighidh an pinsinéir iomchuí, ar ina leith atá an cúramóir ag cur cúram agus aire lánaimseartha ar fáil, bás, agus gurb é an cúramóir céile an phinsinéara sin, in aon chás nach mbeidh an cúramóir sin i dteideal íocaíochta faoi fhorálacha mhír (a), leanfar de liúntas cúramóra a íoc, i leith an phinsinéara iomchuí, ar feadh tréimhse 6 seachtaine tar éis bhás an phinsinéara iomchuí, agus”,
agus
(b) trí “(a), (c) nó (dd)” a chur in ionad “(a) nó (c)” gach áit a bhfuil sé i mír (f).
Leasuithe ar alt 2 den Phríomh-Acht — mínithe.
13.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 2 den Phríomh-Acht—
(a) tríd an míniú seo a leanas a chur in ionad an mhínithe ar “an tAire” i bhfo-alt (1):
“ciallaíonn ‘an tAire’ an tAire Gnóthaí Sóisialacha, Pobail agus Teaghlaigh;”,
(b) trí “i rialacháin, nó” a chur in ionad “i rialacháin.” i bhfo-alt (3)(b)(II), agus
(c) tríd an gclásal seo a leanas a chur isteach i bhfo-alt (3)(b) i ndiaidh chlásal (II):
“(III) atá 18 mbliana d'aois nó os a chionn agus a mheastar a bheith ag freastal ar chúrsa staidéir de réir bhrí alt 126 (3)(a).”.
CUID IV
Sonraí Seirbhíse Poiblí a Riaradh
Sonraí seirbhíse poiblí a riaradh.
14.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht trí na hailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 223:
“Uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí. | 223.—(1) San alt seo agus in ailt 223A, 223B agus 223C— ciallaíonn ‘uimhir chuntais phríomha’, i ndáil le cárta seirbhíse poiblí nó le cárta arna eisiúint faoi alt 223B, uimhir arb é atá inti— (a) uimhir eisitheora, arna heisiúint faoi cheadúnas ó Eagraíocht na gCaighdeán Idirnáisiúnta, (b) uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí, agus (c) uimhir chárta arna leithroinnt, i gcás cárta seirbhíse poiblí, ag an Aire nó, in aon chás eile, ag an duine a d'eisigh an cárta; ciallaíonn ‘comhlacht sonraithe’— (a) Aire den Rialtas, (b) údarás áitiúil (chun críocha an Achta Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941), (c) bord sláinte, (d) na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim, (e) An Foras Áiseanna Saothair, (f) An Post, (g) An tArd-Chláraitheoir, (h) an Bord um Chúnamh Dlíthiúil, (i) an Garda Síochána agus Óglaigh na hÉireann i leith a gcomhaltaí féin, nó (j) cibé duine eile a fhorordófar; ciallaíonn ‘céile’— (a) gach duine de lánúin phósta, nó (b) fear agus bean nach bhfuil pósta lena chéile ach atá ag maireachtáil i bhfochair a chéile mar fhearchéile agus banchéile; ciallaíonn ‘idirbheart’— (a) iarratas, (b) éileamh, (c) cumarsáid, (d) íocaíocht, nó (e) soláthar seirbhíse, i ndáil le cistí poiblí chuig comhlacht sonraithe nó dó nó uaidh agus a bhaineann le duine nádúrtha. (2) Féadfaidh an tAire uimhir (dá ngairtear ‘uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí’ san Acht seo) a leithroinnt agus a eisiúint chuig gach duine is ábhar d'aon idirbheart le comhlacht sonraithe. (3) Aon duine a dhéanann aon idirbheart le comhlacht sonraithe tabharfaidh sé nó sí don Aire cibé faisnéis, de réir mar a fhorordófar, is gá chun go ndéanfar uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí a leithroinnt agus a eisiúint. (4) Déanfaidh duine a uimhir nó a huimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí agus uimhreacha pearsanta seirbhíse poiblí a chéile nó a céile agus a leanaí, más iomchuí, a thabhairt do chomhlacht sonraithe de réir mar a cheanglóidh an comhlacht sin chun críocha idirbheart an duine. (5) San alt seo déanfar tagairt d'uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí a fhorléiriú mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt d'uimhir ar a dtugtar uimhir ioncaim agus árachais shóisialaigh. (6) Aon duine, seachas— (i) an duine lena mbaineann an uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí, (ii) comhlacht sonraithe, (iii) duine a dhéanann idirbheart le comhlacht sonraithe i gcás ina mbaineann an uimhir leis an idirbheart idir an duine sin agus an comhlacht sonraithe, nó (iv) duine a gceanglaítear air nó uirthi forálacha ailt 221, 222 nó rialachán arna ndéanamh faoi na hailt sin a chomhlíonadh, a úsáidfidh uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí nó a dhéanfaidh iarracht a chur faoi deara uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí a nochtadh dó nó di, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion. |
Cárta seirbhíse poiblí. | 223A.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire cárta (dá ngairtear ‘cárta seirbhíse poiblí’ san Acht seo) a eisiúint chuig duine i cibé formáid is cuí leis an Aire agus beidh— (a) ainm, uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí agus uimhir chuntais phríomha an duine, maille leis an dáta eisiúna, inscríofa air, agus (b) dáta breithe, inscne agus uimhir chuntais phríomha an duine, maille le dáta éagtha an chárta agus cód seirbhíse an chárta, ionchódaithe go leictreonach air, agus beidh cibé faisnéis eile a fhorordófar inscríofa nó ionchódaithe go leictreonach ar an gcárta. (2) Féadfaidh duine, ar iarraidh a dhéanamh chuige sin chun an Aire, faisnéis atá ionchódaithe go leictreonach ar a chárta nó ar a cárta seirbhíse poiblí a fháil laistigh de 28 lá ón iarraidh sin, más indéanta sin. (3) Déanfaidh duine a chárta nó a cárta seirbhíse poiblí a thabhairt ar aird ar iarraidh ó chomhlacht sonraithe chun críocha idirbhirt. (4) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh, nó a dhéanfaidh iarracht, cárta seirbhíse poiblí a úsáid nó a dhéanfaidh iarracht a chur faoi deara cárta seirbhíse poiblí a thabhairt ar aird dó nó di, seachas— (a) an duine arb é nó í sealbhóir an chárta nó duine a bheidh ceaptha chun gníomhú thar ceann shealbhóir an chárta, (b) comhlacht sonraithe, chun críocha idirbhirt, nó (c) duine a dhéanann idirbheart le comhlacht sonraithe i gcás baint a bheith ag an uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí atá ar an gcárta leis an idirbheart idir an duine sin agus an comhlacht sonraithe, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion. |
Cárta íocaíochta. | 223B.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire a cheadú cibé faisnéis, de réir mar a fhorordófar, a inscríobh nó a ionchódú go leictreonach ar chárta, is féidir a inscríobh nó a ionchódú amhlaidh, seachas cárta seirbhíse poiblí d'fhonn sochar a íoc. (2) Féadfaidh duine, ar iarraidh a dhéanamh chuige sin chun an Aire, faisnéis atá inscríofa nó ionchódaithe go leictreonach ar an gcárta lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) agus a bhaineann leis nó léi a fháil laistigh de 28 lá ón iarraidh sin, más indéanta sin. (3) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh, nó a dhéanfaidh iarracht, cárta lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) a úsáid chun íocaíocht sochair a fháil agus nach sealbhóir an chárta é nó í an duine sin ná nach duine é nó í a bheidh ceaptha chun gníomhú thar ceann shealbhóir an chárta, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion. |
Faisnéis a chomhroinnt. | 223C.—(1) San alt seo— tá le ‘rialaitheoir sonraí’ agus ‘sonraí pearsanta’ an bhrí chéanna a mhínítear in alt 1 den Acht um Chosaint Sonraí, 1988; ciallaíonn ‘faisnéis’ aon sonraí pearsanta nó faisnéis arna baint as sonraí den sórt sin; ciallaíonn ‘críoch iomchuí’— (a) d'fhonn teideal chuig aon cheann díobh seo a leanas a chinneadh nó d'fhonn rialú a dhéanamh air— (i) sochar, (ii) seirbhís arna soláthar le hailt 45, 58, 59 agus 61 den Acht Sláinte, 1970, nó fúthu, nó le rialacháin nó faoi rialacháin arna ndéanamh faoin gcéanna, (iii) íocaíocht faoi alt 44 (3) den Acht Sláinte, 1947, (iv) liúntas faoin Blind Persons Act, 1920, (v) deontas arna dhámhachtain de réir rialachán arna ndéanamh faoi alt 2 (arna leasú le halt 3 den Acht um Údaráis Áitiúla (Deontais Ardoideachais), 1992) den Acht um Údaráis Áitiúla (Deontais Ardoideachais), 1968, nó (vi) cúnamh dlíthiúil arna dhámhachtain faoin Acht um Chúnamh Dlíthiúil Sibhialta, 1995, nó (b) d'fhonn— (i) measúnacht a dhéanamh de réir alt 9 d'Acht na dTithe, 1988, (ii) ligean a dhéanamh de réir alt 11 d'Acht na dTithe, 1988, (iii) cíos nó íocaíocht eile a chinneadh de réir alt 58 d'Acht na dTithe, 1966, nó d'fhonn rialú a dhéanamh ar an gcéanna. (2) Féadfaidh comhlacht sonraithe a shealbhaíonn faisnéis an fhaisnéis sin a chomhroinnt le comhlacht sonraithe eile a dhéanann idirbheart le duine nádúrtha a bhaineann le críoch iomchuí, más rud é go ndéanfaidh an comhlacht sonraithe a bheidh ag lorg na faisnéise uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí an duine is ábhar don idirbheart a chur ar fáil agus go sásóidh sé rialaitheoir sonraí an chomhlachta shonraithe a shealbhaíonn an fhaisnéis go mbaineann an fhaisnéis a iarrtar leis an idirbheart chun na críche sin a dúradh idir an duine agus an comhlacht sonraithe a lorgaíonn an fhaisnéis sin. (3) Ní fhéadfaidh comhlacht sonraithe faisnéis a lorg ach amháin chun críocha idirbhirt a bhaineann le críoch iomchuí. (4) Más rud é go bhfaighfear amach, maidir le faisnéis a chomhroinntear idir comhlacht sonraithe amháin agus ceann eile, go bhfuil sí míchruinn, déanfaidh an comhlacht sonraithe, ar é sin a fháil amach, an fhaisnéis cheart a dheimhniú leis an duine agus cuirfidh sé an fhaisnéis leasaithe in iúl don chomhlacht sonraithe eile. (5) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh, seachas le haghaidh idirbhirt maidir le críoch iomchuí, aon fhaisnéis a shealbhaíonn comhlacht sonraithe agus a bhaineann le duine eile a lorg nó a aistriú go feasach trí uimhir phearsanta seirbhíse poiblí an duine eile sin a úsáid, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion.”. |
(2) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht trí “111(2), 115(2), 223(1), 223A(1) nó 223B(1)” a chur in ionad “111(2) nó 115(2)” in alt 4(5) (arna leasú le halt 37 d'Acht 1996).
Tosach feidhme (Cuid IV).
15.—Tiocfaidh an Chuid seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a cheapfaidh an tAire le hordú nó le horduithe i gcoitinne nó faoi threoir aon chríche nó forála áirithe agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a cheapadh amhlaidh chun críoch éagsúil agus le haghaidh forálacha éagsúla.
CUID V
Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha
Suimeanna a íoc isteach sa Chiste Árachais Shóisialaigh agus amach as.
16.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (4) d'alt 7:
“(4) Ach amháin mar a bhforáiltear a mhalairt go sonrach—
(a) déanfar suimeanna is iníoctha isteach sa Chiste a íoc isteach i gcuntas reatha an Chiste nó i gcuntas infheistíochta an Chiste, agus
(b) déanfar suimeanna is iníoctha amach as an gCiste a íoc amach as cuntas reatha an Chiste.”.
Athbhreithniú achtúireach.
17.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 7:
“Athbhreithniú achtúireach. | 7A.—(1) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara— (a) go ndéanfaidh cibé daoine a shocróidh an tAire athbhreithnithe achtúireacha i dtaobh staid airgeadais an Chiste d'fhonn a chinneadh cá mhéid a mbeifear ag súil leis, go fadtéarmach, go bhfreastalóidh an Ciste do na héilimh i leith íocaíochtaí sochar agus íocaíochtaí eile, ag féachaint go háirithe do leordhóthanacht nó neamh-leordhóthanacht na ranníocaí faoi chomhair sochar agus íocaíochtaí eile agus cibé nithe eile is dóigh leis an Aire a bheith iomchuí sa mhéid go ndéanann siad difear do staid airgeadais reatha agus thodhchaí an Chiste, (b) tuarascáil a thabhairt don Aire an tráth a chríochnófar aon athbhreithniú den sórt sin, agus (c) cóip de gach tuarascáil faoin alt seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas laistigh de 6 mhí ón tráth a chríochnófar an t-athbhreithniú. (2) Is é dáta críochnaithe an chéad athbhreithnithe achtúirigh faoin alt seo dáta nach déanaí ná an 31ú lá de Nollaig, 2002, agus is é dáta críochnaithe gach athbhreithnithe ina dhiaidh sin dáta nach déanaí ná 5 bliana tar éis dháta críochnaithe an athbhreithnithe díreach roimhe sin.”. |
Liúntas réamhscoir — forálacha a chomhdhlúthú.
18.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an gCaibidil seo a leanas a chur in ionad Chaibidil 3 de Chuid III:
“CAIBIDIL 3
Liúntas Réamhscoir
Teideal chun liúntais. | 127.—(1) Faoi réir an Achta seo, beidh liúntas (dá ngairtear ‘liúntas réamhscoir’ sa Chaibidil seo) iníoctha i leith aon tréimhse scoir le duine— (a) a mbeidh an aois a shonraítear le rialacháin, ach nach mbeidh aois inphinsin, slánaithe aige nó aici, (b) nach mó a acmhainn nó a hacmhainn sheachtainiúil, faoi réir fho-alt (4), ná méid an liúntais réamhscoir (lena n-áirítear aon mhéaduithe air) a bheadh iníoctha leis an duine faoin gCaibidil seo mura mbeadh acmhainn ar bith ag an duine sin, agus (c) (i) a raibh sochar dífhostaíochta nó cúnamh dífhostaíochta á fháil aige nó aici i leith 390 lá dífhostaíochta ar a laghad in aon tréimhse leanúnach dífhostaíochta sa tréimhse díreach roimhe sin mar a fhorléirítear de réir alt 120(3), (ii) is céile idirscartha nach raibh fruilithe le fostaíocht chúititheach nó le féinfhostaíocht am ar bith sa tréimhse sin roimhe sin de réir mar a fhorordófar, nó (iii) a bhí, díreach roimh an tseachtain ar ina leith atá liúntas réamhscoir á éileamh— (A) ag fáil íocaíochta teaghlaigh aontuismitheora, ach atá scortha de bheith i dteideal na híocaíochta sin de bhua nach meastar a thuilleadh gur tuismitheoir cáilithe de réir bhrí alt 157(1) é nó í, nó (B) ag fáil liúntais cúramóra, ach atá scortha de bheith i dteideal an liúntais sin de bhua nach meastar a thuilleadh gur cúramóir de réir bhrí alt 163(1) é no í. (2) (a) Chun críocha fho-alt (1)(c)(ii) agus faoi réir alt 3(12), duine a bheidh idirscartha óna chéile nó óna céile, leanfar dá mheas nó dá meas mar chéile idirscartha i gcás an pósadh a bheith scaoilte, ar scaoileadh é atá aitheanta mar scaoileadh atá bailí sa Stát. (b) Faoi réir na Caibidle seo, leanfaidh liúntas réamhscoir de bheith iníoctha le duine a bhfuil feidhm ag fo-alt (1)(c)(ii) ina leith, mura n-athphósann an duine sin nó mura gcomhchónaíonn sé nó sí mar fhearchéile agus banchéile, agus sa chás sin scoirfidh an liúntas. (3) Sa Chaibidil seo, is í an ‘acmhainn sheachtainiúil’, faoi réir Riail 1(6A), an acmhainn bhliantúil arna roinnt ar 52; déanfar acmhainn a ríomh de réir na Rialacha atá i gCuid I den Tríú Sceideal. (4) Más rud é, maidir le céile éilitheora ar liúntas réamhscoir, nach aosach cáilithe an éilitheora é nó í, nó gur céile é nó í a bhfuil méadú iníoctha ina leith de bhua rialachán arna ndéanamh faoi alt 245A, glacfar leis gurb í leath na hacmhainne acmhainn an éilitheora. |
Rátaí liúntais (lena n-áirítear méaduithe d'aosach cáilithe agus do leanaí cáilithe). | 128.—(1) Faoi réir an ailt seo agus alt 122, is é an ráta liúntais réamhscoir (dá ngairtear ‘an ráta sceidealta’ sa Chaibidil seo) an ráta seachtainiúil atá leagtha amach i gcolún (2) de Chuid I den Cheathrú Sceideal, arna mhéadú— (a) den mhéid atá leagtha amach i gcolún (3) den Chuid sin in aghaidh aon tréimhse ar lena linn a bheidh aosach cáilithe ag an éilitheoir nó ag an tairbhí, faoi réir an tsriain nach mbeidh an t-éilitheoir nó an tairbhí i dteideal méadú a fháil faoin mír seo i leith níos mó ná duine amháin, agus (b) den mhéid cuí atá leagtha amach i gcolún (4) den Chuid sin i leith gach linbh cháilithe a bhfuil gnáthchónaí air nó uirthi leis an éilitheoir nó leis an tairbhí. (2) Beidh liúntas réamhscoir iníoctha— (a) i gcás nach mó ná £2 acmhainn sheachtainiúil an éilitheora nó an tairbhí, de réir an ráta sceidealta, agus (b) i gcás gur mó ná £2 an acmhainn sheachtainiúil sin, de réir an ráta sceidealta arna laghdú de £2 i leith gach suim £2 (más ann) ar mó an acmhainn sheachtainiúil sin ná £2, agus aon chodán de £2 san acmhainn sheachtainiúil sin a áireamh chun na críche sin mar £2: Ar choinníoll, maidir leis an ráta arna ríomh de bhun na míre seo ar dá réir a bheadh an liúntas réamhscoir iníoctha murach an coinníoll seo— (i) más ionann é agus 10p nó níos mó ach gur lú é ná £1, go mbeidh an liúntas iníoctha de réir an ráta sheachtainiúil £1, agus (ii) más lú é ná 10p, nach mbeidh an liúntas iníoctha. (3) Aon mhéadú ar liúntas réamhscoir is iníoctha de bhun mhír (b) d'fho-alt (1) i leith linbh cháilithe a bhfuil gnáthchónaí air nó uirthi leis an éilitheoir nó leis an tairbhí agus le céile an éilitheora nó an tairbhí, beidh sé iníoctha de réir ráta ar leath é den mhéid cuí in aon chás nach aosach cáilithe é nó í céile an éilitheora nó an tairbhí agus forléireofar mír (b) d'fho-alt (1) agus beidh éifeacht léi dá réir sin. |
Rialacháin. | 129.—Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh chun éifeacht a thabhairt don Chaibidil seo agus féadfaidh na rialacháin sin, go háirithe agus gan dochar do ghinearáltacht an mhéid sin roimhe seo— (a) an aois chun críocha alt 127(1)(a) a shonrú, (b) na tréimhsí a mheasfar mar thréimhsí scoir chun críocha na Caibidle seo a shonrú, (c) na himthosca a shonrú ina mbeidh duine le meas mar chéile idirscartha chun críocha alt 127(1)(c)(ii), agus (d) an ráta seachtainiúil liúntais réamhscoir faoi alt 128 a athrú, ach ní dhéanfaidh aon athrú den sórt sin laghdú ar na rátaí seachtainiúla ab infheidhme díreach roimh thosach feidhme na rialachán sin. |
An scéim liúntais do bhean shingil a chomhtháthú leis an scéim liúntais réamhscoir. | 130.—(1) D'ainneoin na Caibidle seo agus rialachán arna ndéanamh fúithi, más rud é, díreach roimh an 5ú lá de Shamhain, 1992 (dá ngairtear ‘an lá ceaptha’ sa Chaibidil seo), go raibh bean, nach raibh aois inphinsin slánaithe aici, ag fáil liúntais do bhean shingil, beidh liúntas réamhscoir iníoctha léi ón lá ceaptha de réir an ráta chéanna a raibh an liúntas sin do bhean shingil iníoctha léi díreach roimh an lá sin: Ar choinníoll go leanfaidh sí de na coinníollacha maidir le hacmhainní de réir alt 127(3) a chomhlíonadh. (2) Chun críocha fho-alt (1), measfar, maidir le bean a bhí ag fáil liúntais do bhean shingil díreach roimh an lá ceaptha— (a) go bhfuil sí scortha de réir bhrí rialachán arna ndéanamh chun críocha alt 129(b), agus (b) go bhfuil an ceanglas atá in alt 127(1)(b) comhlíonta aici. (3) Aon chinneadh a rinne oifigeach breithiúnachta nó oifigeach achomhairc i ndáil le liúntas do bhean shingil a dhámhachtain do bhean roimh an lá ceaptha, measfar gur cinneadh é chun liúntas réamhscoir a dhámhachtain don duine sin ar an agus ón lá sin. (4) Sa Chaibidil seo, aon tagairt do ‘liúntas do bhean shingil’, ciallaíonn sí liúntas do bhean shingil a bhí iníoctha de bhua alt 198 (a aisghaireadh le halt 37 den Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1992) den Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh (Comhdhlúthú), 1981, agus de bhua rialachán a rinneadh faoi.”. |
Pinsean dall.
19.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (1) d'alt 141:
“141.—(1) Faoi réir an Achta seo—
(a) faoi réir mhír (b), beidh gach dall a bhfuil 18 mbliana d'aois slánaithe aige nó aici i dteideal cibé pinsean (dá ngairtear ‘pinsean dall’ san Acht seo) a fháil, agus leanúint dá fháil, a bheadh sé nó sí i dteideal a fháil faoi Chaibidil 4 den Chuid seo dá mbeadh aois inphinsin slánaithe aige nó aici, faoi réir an mhodhnaithe—
(i) gurb é an ráta pinsin dall a bheidh iníoctha an ráta seachtainiúil atá leagtha amach i gcolún (2), tagairt 5 i gCuid I den Cheathrú Sceideal, agus
(ii) go mbeidh an méadú is iníoctha de bhua alt 137(a), i gcás aois inphinsin a bheith slánaithe ag an tairbhí, amhail mar atá leagtha amach i gCuid II den Cheathrú Sceideal agus i ngach cás eile go mbeidh sé amhail mar atá leagtha amach i gCuid IIA den Cheathrú Sceideal,
agus
(b) go mbeidh feidhm ag forálacha na Caibidle sin 4 ar gach slí i gcás an duine sin, faoi réir na modhnuithe go gcuirfear na coinníollacha seo a leanas in ionad na gcoinníollacha reachtúla atá in alt 134 (a), eadhon, nach mór don duine—
(i) 18 mbliana d'aois a bheith slánaithe aige nó aici, agus
(ii) bheith chomh dall sin nach féidir leis no léi aon obair a dhéanamh a bhfuil radharc na súl riachtanach di nó nach féidir leis nó léi leanúint den ghnáthshlí bheatha atá aige nó aici.”.
Fiacha a ghnóthú.
20.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 279A (a cuireadh isteach le halt 31 d'Acht 1997):
“Fiacha a ghnóthú. | 279B.—I gcás ina mbeidh airgead faighte ag duine ón Roinn Gnóthaí Sóisialacha, Pobail agus Teaghlaigh nach raibh sé nó sí i dteideal a fháil, dlífidh an duine sin suim nach mó ná méid an airgid sin a fuarthas a aisíoc ar éileamh— (a) i gcás sochair, leis an gCiste Árachais Shóisialaigh, (b) i gcás cúnaimh (seachas liúntas leasa forlíontach), sochair linbh, forlíonadh ar ioncam teaghlaigh nó íocaíochta leantaí i leith leanaí cáilithe, leis an Aire, (c) i gcás liúntais leasa fhorlíontaigh, leis an mbord sláinte.”. |
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 281 den Phríomh-Acht trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-ailt (6) agus (7):
“(6) Aon sochar, cúnamh, forlíonadh ar ioncam teaghlaigh nó íocaíocht leantach i leith leanaí cáilithe is inaisíoctha de réir alt 278, 279, 279A nó 279B, féadfar, gan dochar d'aon mhodh gnóthaithe eile, é nó í a ghnóthú trí asbhaint as aon sochar, cúnamh (ach amháin liúntas leasa forlíontach) nó forlíonadh ar ioncam teaghlaigh a bhfuil an duine sin an tráth sin, nó a dtiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith, ina theideal.
(7) Aon sochar linbh is inaisíoctha de réir alt 278, 279, 279A nó 279B, féadfar, gan dochar d'aon mhodh gnóthaithe eile, é a ghnóthú trí asbhaint as aon íocaíocht nó íocaíochtaí ar cuntas sochair linbh a bhfuil an duine sin an tráth sin, nó a dtiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith, ina teideal nó ina dteideal.”.
Sochar míthreorach — éilimh a dhéantar lasmuigh den am forordaithe.
21.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 205 den Phríomh-Acht (arna leasú le halt 32 d'Acht 1997)—
(a) trí “(seachas sochar míthreorach faoi alt 54, méadú ar shochar míthreorach faoi ailt 56 agus 57 nó sochar báis ar mhodh pinsin faoi ailt 60, 61 agus 62)” a chur isteach i bhfo-alt (2)(c) i ndiaidh “sochair díobhálacha ceirde”, agus
(b) trí na míreanna agus an coinníoll seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2)(d), (e) agus an choinníll:
“(d) i gcás sochair míchumais, liúntais breoiteachta nó liúntais míchumais, i leith aon tréimhse is faide ná 7 lá roimh an dáta a ndéanfar an t-éileamh,
(e) i gcás sochair máithreachais—
(i) i gcás ina ndéanfar an t-éileamh roimh dheireadh na seachtaine luí seoil, íocaíocht i leith aon tréimhse roimh thosach na seachtaine ina ndéanfar an t-éileamh,
(ii) i gcás ina ndéanfar an t-éileamh tar éis dheireadh na seachtaine luí seoil, íocaíocht i leith aon tréimhse roimh thosach an seachtú seachtain roimh an tseachtain ina ndéanfar an t-éileamh nach dáta é is luaithe ná tosach na seachtaine luí seoil, agus
(f) i gcás sochair míthreorach faoi alt 54, méadaithe ar shochar míthreorach faoi alt 56 nó alt 57 nó sochair báis ar mhodh pinsin faoi ailt 60, 61 nó 62, i leith aon tréimhse is faide ná 3 mhí roimh an dáta a ndéanfar an t-éileamh:
Ar choinníoll, i gcás sochair lena mbaineann míreanna (c), (d), (e) nó (f), más rud é go gcruthóidh éilitheoir chun sástachta oifigigh breithiúnachta nó oifigigh achomhairc—
(I) go raibh sé nó sí, ar dháta ba luaithe ná an dáta a ndearnadh a éileamh nó a héileamh ar shochar (lena n-áirítear aon mhéadú air), i dteideal an tsochair sin, ar leith ón gcoinníoll a chomhlíonadh ó thaobh éileamh a dhéanamh, agus
(II) go raibh cúis mhaith, i gcaitheamh na tréimhse idir an dáta ba luaithe agus an dáta a ndearnadh a éileamh nó a héileamh, leis an moill a bhain le héileamh a dhéanamh, nach mbeidh sé nó sí dícháilithe chun íocaíocht a fháil i leith aon tréimhse den sórt sin dá dtagraítear i bhfomhír (I) nach faide ná 6 mhí roimh an dáta a ndéantar an t-éileamh.”, agus
(c) trí “oifigeach breithiúnachta nó oifigeach achomhairc, de réir mar a bheidh,” a chur in ionad “oifigeach don Aire arna cheapadh ag an Aire chun na críche sin” i bhfo-alt (2D).”.
Cionta — gan faisnéis a nochtadh.
22.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 221:
“Faisnéis a éilíonn an tAire. | 221.—(1) D'fhonn rialú agus imscrúdú a dhéanamh ar theideal chun aon sochair, faoin Acht seo nó faoi scéimeanna atá á riaradh ag an Aire nó thar ceann an Aire, féadfaidh an tAire a cheangal ar cibé daoine a fhorordófar cibé faisnéis i ndáil le cibé daoine nó cibé aicmí daoine a fhorordófar a thabhairt dó nó di. (2) Aon duine a mhainneoidh ceanglas a chuirfear air nó uirthi faoi fho-alt (1) nó faoi rialacháin arna ndéanamh faoi a chomhlíonadh, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 a chur air nó uirthi.”. |
Oifigigh a cheapadh.
23.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (1) d'alt 212:
“Cigirí leasa shóisialaigh. | 212.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, nó oifigeach a bheidh údaraithe chuige sin le hordacháin speisialta nó ghinearálta ón Aire, cibé oifigigh agus cibé líon oifigeach a cheapadh de réir mar is cuí chun bheith ina gcigirí leasa shóisialaigh chun críocha cibé forálacha de Chodanna II, III, IV, V, VA, IX agus den Chuid seo a chinnfidh sé nó sí i gcás na gceapachán sin.”. |
(2) Leanfaidh cigire leasa shóisialaigh a ceapadh faoi alt 212(1) den Phríomh-Acht agus a bhí i seilbh oifige díreach roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo de bheith in oifig amhail is dá mba rud é gur ceapadh é nó í faoi fho-alt (1) (arna chur isteach leis an alt seo) d'alt 212.
Gaol faoi dhliteanas.
24.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 2 den Phríomh-Acht tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (4) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 38 d'Acht 1996):
“(5) Faoi réir Chuid IX den Acht seo ciallaíonn ‘gaol faoi dhliteanas’, i ndáil le haon duine—
(a) fear atá faoi dhliteanas—
(i) a bhanchéile a chothabháil,
(ii) a iar-bhanchéile a chothabháil i gcás an pósadh a bheith scaoilte, ar scaoileadh é atá aitheanta mar scaoileadh atá bailí sa Stát,
le linn di a bheith ag fáil liúntais nó sochair, agus
(iii) aon leanbh cáilithe dá chuid, a bhfuil méadú ar liúntas nó ar shochar iníoctha leis an máthair ina leith, a chothabháil, nó
(b) bean atá faoi dhliteanas—
(i) a fearchéile a chothabháil,
(ii) a hiar-fhearchéile a chothabháil i gcás an pósadh a bheith scaoilte, ar scaoileadh é atá aitheanta mar scaoileadh atá bailí sa Stát,
le linn dó a bheith ag fáil liúntais, agus
(iii) aon leanbh cáilithe dá cuid, a bhfuil méadú ar liúntas iníoctha leis an athair ina leith, a chothabháil.”.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 247 den Phríomh-Acht (arna leasú le halt 29 d'Acht 1997) trí na míreanna seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (dd) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 7(3) d'Acht 1996) agus (e) i bhfo-alt (2):
“(e) faoi Chuid VA (íocaíocht leantach i leith leanaí cáilithe);
(f) faoi Chuid VI (forálacha ginearálta maidir le hárachas sóisialach, cúnamh sóisialach agus inárachaitheacht), agus
(g) faoi Chuid IX (dliteanas an teaghlach a chothabháil).”.
(3) Cúlghairtear leis seo alt 29(1)(b) d'Acht 1997.
(4) Leasaítear leis seo alt 284(1) den Phríomh-Acht tríd an míniú seo a leanas a chur in ionad an mhínithe ar “liúntas”—
“ciallaíonn ‘liúntas’ íocaíocht teaghlaigh aontuismitheora, liúntas leasa forlíontach nó íocaíocht iomchuí de bhua alt 18(1)(a) nó (b) den Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1996,”.
(5) Leasaítear leis seo alt 286 (arna leasú le halt 29 d'Acht 1997) den Phríomh-Acht tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (4):
“(4) I gcás inar deimhin le breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche gur mhainnigh nó gur fhailligh an gaol faoi dhliteanas, tráth éisteachta iarratais ag an údarás inniúil faoi fho-alt (2), an ranníoc a dhéanamh a cheanglaítear faoin alt seo agus go raibh sé nó sí in ann ranníoc a dhéanamh i leith an liúntais a deonaíodh, ordóidh an breitheamh go n-íocfar an ranníoc sin leis an údarás inniúil i cibé slí is cuí leis nó léi.”.
Tosach feidhme (Cuid V).
25.—Tiocfaidh an Chuid seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a cheapfaidh an tAire le hordú nó le horduithe i gcoitinne nó faoi threoir aon chríche nó forála áirithe agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a cheapadh amhlaidh chun críoch éagsúil agus le haghaidh forálacha éagsúla.
CUID VI
Leasú ar an Acht um Ranníocaí Sláinte, 1979, agus ar an Acht um Ghníomhaireacht Fostaíochta don Aos Óg, 1981
Leasú ar alt 7A den Acht um Ranníocaí Sláinte, 1979.
26.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 7A den Acht um Ranníocaí Sláinte, 1979—
(a) trí “£207” a chur in ionad “£197” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 38(1)(a)(i) d'Acht 1997) i mír (1)(a),
(b) trí “£10,750” a chur in ionad “£10,250” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 38(1)(a)(ii) d'Acht 1997) i mír (1)(b), agus
(c) trí “£10,750” a chur in ionad “£10,250” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 38(1)(b) d'Acht 1997) i bhfo-alt (2).
(2) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh an 6ú lá d'Aibreán, 1998.
Leasú ar alt 18A den Acht um Ghníomhaireacht Fostaíochta don Aos Óg, 1981.
27.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 18A den Acht um Ghníomhaireacht Fostaíochta don Aos Óg, 1981—
(a) trí “£207” a chur in ionad “£197” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 39(1)(a)(i) d'Acht 1997) i mír (1)(a),
(b) trí “£10,750” a chur in ionad “£10,250” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 39(1)(a)(ii) d'Acht 1997) i mír (1)(b), agus
(c) trí “£10,750” a chur in ionad “£10,250” (a cuireadh isteach le halt 39(1)(b) d'Acht 1997) i bhfo-alt (2).
(2) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh an 6ú lá d'Aibreán, 1998.
CUID VII
Leasú ar alt 54 d'Acht na bPinsean, 1990
Leasú ar alt 54 d'Acht na bPinsean, 1990.
28.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 54 (arna leasú le halt 20 d'Acht na bPinsean (Leasú), 1996) d'Acht na bPinsean, 1990—
(a) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-ailt (1), (2) agus (3):
“(1) Déanfaidh iontaobhaithe scéime cibé faisnéis a thabhairt do cibé daoine i cibé imthosca agus laistigh de cibé teorainneacha ama a fhorordófar i ndáil leis na nithe seo a leanas, is é sin le rá—
(a) comhdhéanamh na scéime,
(b) riaradh agus airgeadas na scéime,
(c) na cearta agus na hoibleagáidí atá nó a fhéadfaidh a bheith ann faoin scéim, agus
(d) cibé nithe eile a fhorordófar agus is dóigh leis an Aire is iomchuí maidir le scéimeanna i gcoitinne nó le scéimeanna de thuairisc áirithe lena mbaineann an scéim.”,
(b) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i bhfo-alt (4) i ndiaidh mhír (b):
“(c) féadfaidh an Bord le fógra i scríbhinn a iarraidh ar fhostóir lena mbaineann scéim nó ar iontaobhaithe scéime cibé faisnéis a thabhairt don Bhord laistigh de cibé teorainneacha ama a shonróidh an Bord i ndáil leis na nithe a thuairiscítear i bhfo-alt (1) agus déanfaidh an fostóir nó na hiontaobhaithe de réir aon iarrata den sórt sin.”,
agus
(c) trí “nó rialacháin faoi fho-alt (3)” a scriosadh i bhfo-alt (5).
SCEIDEAL A
“An Dara Sceideal
Na Rátaí Sochar
CUID I
Na Rátaí Sochar Tréimhsiúil agus na Méaduithe Orthu
An cineál sochair | An ráta seachtainiúil | An méadú i leith aosaigh cháilithe (más iníoctha) | An méadú i leith gach linbh cháilithe (más iníoctha) | An méadú i leith gaoil fhorordaithe faoi alt 167 (más iníoctha) | An méadú i gcás aois inphinsin a bheith slánaithe ag an duine agus é nó í ina chónaí nó ina cónaí ina aonar nó ina haonar (más iníoctha) | An méadú i gcás 80 bliain d'aois a bheith slánaithe ag an duine (más iníoctha) |
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) |
£ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
1. Sochar Michumais, Sochar Dífhostaíochta, Sochar Díobhála agus Sochar Sláinte agus Sábháilteachta ... ... | 70.50 | 41.20 | 13.20 | -- | -- | -- |
2. Sochar Báis: | ||||||
(a) pinsean is iníoctha le baintreach nó le baintreach fir faoi alt 60 | 92.40 | -- | 17.00 | 41.80 | 6.00 | -- |
(b) pinsean is iníoctha le tuismitheoir | ||||||
(i) ráta laghdaithe ... | 43.20 | -- | -- | 41.80 | 6.00 | -- |
(ii) ráta uasta ... | 92.40 | -- | -- | 41.80 | 6.00 | -- |
(c) pinsean is iníoctha le dílleachta ... ... | 50.90 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
3. Pinsean Seanaoise (Ranníocach) agus Pinsean Scoir: | 83.00 | 52.50 | 15.20 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
méadú breise i leith aosaigh cháilithe a bhfuil aois inphinsin slánaithe aige nó aici ... ... ... | -- | 4.40 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
4. Pinsean Easláine: | 72.20 | 46.50 | 15.20 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
méadú breise i leith tairbhí a bhfuil 65 bliana d'aois slánaithe aige nó aici ... | 10.80 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
5. Pinsean Baintrí agus Baintrí Fir (Ranníocach) agus íocaíocht iomchuí de bhua alt 18(1)(a) den Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1996: | 74.10 | -- | 17.00 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
méadú breise i leith tairbhí a bhfuil aois inphinsin slánaithe aige nó aici | 2.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
6. Liúntas Dílleachta (Ranníocach) | 48.60 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
CUID II
Sochair Dhíobhálacha Ceirde — Aiscí agus Deontas
An Cineál Deontais | Méid | |||||||
(1) | (2) | |||||||
£ | ||||||||
1. Sochar Míthreorach: | ||||||||
Aisce uasta | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 6,590 |
2. Sochar Báis: | ||||||||
Deontas i leith costas sochraide | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 330 | ||
CUID III
Pinsean Míthreorach
An grád míthreorach | An ráta seachtainiúil | |||
(1) | (2) | |||
£ | ||||
100 faoin gcéad | ... | ... | ... | 94.20 |
90 ” ” | ... | ... | ... | 84.80 |
80 ” ” | ... | ... | ... | 75.40 |
70 ” ” | ... | ... | ... | 65.90 |
60 ” ” | ... | ... | ... | 56.50 |
50 ” ” | ... | ... | ... | 47.10 |
40 ” ” | ... | ... | ... | 37.70 |
30 ” ” | ... | ... | ... | 28.30 |
20 ” ” | ... | ... | ... | 18.80 |
CUID IV
Méaduithe ar Phinsean Míthreorach
An Cineál Méadaithe (1) | An Ráta Seachtainiúil (2) |
£ | |
1. Méadú i gcás an duine a bheith éagumasach go buan chun oibre | 70.50 |
2. Méadú i gcás síor-fhreastal a bheith ag teastáil ón duine: | |
(a) teorainn an mhéadaithe ach amháin i gcásanna míthreorach fíor-dhona ... ... ... ... ... ... ... | 39.60 |
(b) teorainn in aon chás eile ... ... ... ... ... | 77.60 |
”.
SCEIDEAL B
“An Ceathrú Sceideal
Na Rátaí Cúnaimh
CUID I
Na Rátaí Cúnaimh Shóisialaigh Thréimhsiúil agus na Méaduithe orthu
An cineál cúnaimh | An ráta seachtainiúil | An méadú i leith aosaigh cháilithe (más iníoctha) | An méadú i leith gach linbh cháilithe (más iníoctha) | An méadú i leith gaoil fhorordaithe faoi alt 167 (más iníoctha) | An méadú i gcás aois inphinsin a bheith slánaithe ag an duine agus é nó í ina chónaí nó ina cónaí ina aonar nó ina haonar (más iníoctha) | An méadú i gcás 80 bliain d'aois a bheith slánaithe ag an duine (más iníoctha) |
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) |
£ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
1. Cúnamh Dífhostaíochta: | ||||||
(a) i gcás duine lena mbaineann alt 121(1)(a) | 70.50 | 41.20 | 13.20 | -- | -- | -- |
(b) i gcás duine lena mbaineann alt 121(1)(b) | 68.40 | 41.20 | 13.20 | -- | -- | -- |
2. Liúntas Réamhscoir ... | 70.50 | 41.20 | 13.20 | -- | -- | -- |
3. Liúntas Míchumais ... | 70.50 | 41.20 | 13.20 | -- | -- | -- |
4. Pinsean Seanaoise (Neamhranníocach) ... ... | 72.50 | -- | 13.20 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
5. Pinsean Dall: | 70.50 | -- | 13.20 | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
méadú breise i leith tairbhí a bhfuil aois inphinsin slánaithe aige nó aici | 2.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
6. Pinsean Baintrí (Neamhranníocach), Pinsean Baintrí Fir (Neamhranníocach) agus íocaíocht iomchuí de bhua alt 18(1)(b) nó (c) den Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1996: | 70.50 | -- | -- | 41.80 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
méadú breise i leith tairbhí a bhfuil aois inphinsin slánaithe aige nó aici | 2.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
7. Íocaíocht Teaghlaigh Aontuismitheora: | 70.50 | -- | 15.20 | -- | -- | 5.00 |
méadú breise i leith tairbhí a bhfuil aois inphinsin slánaithe aige nó aici | 2.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
8. Liúntas Cúramóra: | ||||||
(a) i gcás duine lena mbaineann alt 165(1)(a) | 110.30 | -- | 13.20 | -- | -- | -- |
méadú breise i leith tairbhí a bhfuil aois inphinsin slánaithe aige nó aici | 3.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
(b) i gcás duine lena mbaineann alt 165(1)(b) | 73.50 | -- | 13.20 | -- | -- | -- |
méadú breise i leith tairbhí a bhfuil aois inphinsin slánaithe aige nó aici | 2.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
9. Pinsean Dílleachta (Neamhranníocach) ... ... | 48.60 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
10. Liúntas Leasa Forlíontach | 68.40 | 41.20 | 13.20 | -- | -- | -- |
CUID II
An Méadú ar Phinsean Seanaoise (Neamhranníocach) agus An Méadú ar Phinsean Dall (i gcás Aois Inphinsin a bheith Slánaithe ag an Tairbhí) i leith Duine Amháin de Lánúin
Acmhainn an éilitheora nó an phinsinéara | Ráta seachtainiúil an mhéadaithe | |||||
£ | ||||||
Má bhíonn acmhainn sheachtainiúil an éilitheora nó an | ||||||
phinsinéara gan bheith níos mó ná £6 | ... | ... | ... | 41.20 | ||
níos mó ná £6 gan bheith níos mó ná £8 | ... | ... | 40.20 | |||
níos mó ná £8 gan bheith níos mó ná £10 | ... | ... | 39.20 | |||
níos mó ná £10 gan bheith níos mó ná £12 | ... | ... | 38.20 | |||
níos mó ná £12 gan bheith níos mó ná £14 | ... | ... | 37.20 | |||
níos mó ná £14 gan bheith níos mó ná £16 | ... | ... | 36.20 | |||
níos mó ná £16 gan bheith níos mó ná £18 | ... | ... | 35.20 | |||
níos mó ná £18 gan bheith níos mó ná £20 | ... | ... | 34.20 | |||
níos mó ná £20 gan bheith níos mó ná £22 | ... | ... | 33.20 | |||
níos mó ná £22 gan bheith níos mó ná £24 | ... | ... | 32.20 | |||
níos mó ná £24 gan bheith níos mó ná £26 | ... | ... | 31.20 | |||
níos mó ná £26 gan bheith níos mó ná £28 | ... | ... | 30.20 | |||
níos mó ná £28 gan bheith níos mó ná £30 | ... | ... | 29.20 | |||
níos mó ná £30 gan bheith níos mó ná £32 | ... | ... | 28.20 | |||
níos mó ná £32 gan bheith níos mó ná £34 | ... | ... | 27.20 | |||
níos mó ná £34 gan bheith níos mó ná £36 | ... | ... | 26.20 | |||
níos mó ná £36 gan bheith níos mó ná £38 | ... | ... | 25.20 | |||
níos mó ná £38 gan bheith níos mó ná £40 | ... | ... | 24.20 | |||
níos mó ná £40 gan bheith níos mó ná £42 | ... | ... | 23.20 | |||
níos mó ná £42 gan bheith níos mó ná £44 | ... | ... | 22.20 | |||
níos mó ná £44 gan bheith níos mó ná £46 | ... | ... | 21.20 | |||
níos mó ná £46 gan bheith níos mó ná £48 | ... | ... | 20.20 | |||
níos mó ná £48 gan bheith níos mó ná £50 | ... | ... | 19.20 | |||
níos mó ná £50 gan bheith níos mó ná £52 | ... | ... | 18.20 | |||
níos mó ná £52 gan bheith níos mó ná £54 | ... | ... | 17.20 | |||
níos mó ná £54 gan bheith níos mó ná £56 | ... | ... | 16.20 | |||
níos mó ná £56 gan bheith níos mó ná £58 | ... | ... | 15.20 | |||
níos mó ná £58 gan bheith níos mó ná £60 | ... | ... | 14.20 | |||
níos mó ná £60 gan bheith níos mó ná £62 | ... | ... | 13.20 | |||
níos mó ná £62 gan bheith níos mó ná £64 | ... | ... | 12.20 | |||
níos mó ná £64 gan bheith níos mó ná £66 | ... | ... | 11.20 | |||
níos mó ná £66 gan bheith níos mó ná £68 | ... | ... | 10.20 | |||
níos mó ná £68 gan bheith níos mó ná £70 | ... | ... | 9.20 | |||
níos mó ná £70 gan bheith níos mó ná £72 | ... | ... | 8.20 | |||
níos mó ná £72 gan bheith níos mó ná £74 | ... | ... | 7.20 | |||
níos mó ná £74 gan bheith níos mó ná £76 | ... | ... | 6.20 | |||
níos mó ná £76 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | Neamhní |
CUID IIA
Méadú ar Phinsean Dall i leith Duine Amháin de Lánúin (i gcás nach bhfuil aois inphinsin slánaithe ag an Tairbhí)
Acmhainn an éilitheora nó an phinsinéara | Ráta seachtainiúil an mhéadaithe | |||
£ | ||||
Má bhíonn acmhainn sheachtainiúil an éilitheora nó an | ||||
phinsinéara gan bheith níos mó ná £6 | ... | ... | ... | 41.20 |
níos mó ná £6 gan bheith níos mó ná £8 | ... | ... | 40.20 | |
níos mó ná £8 gan bheith níos mó ná £10 | ... | ... | 39.20 | |
níos mó ná £10 gan bheith níos mó ná £12 | ... | ... | 38.20 | |
níos mó ná £12 gan bheith níos mó ná £14 | ... | ... | 37.20 | |
níos mó ná £14 gan bheith níos mó ná £16 | ... | ... | 36.20 | |
níos mó ná £16 gan bheith níos mó ná £18 | ... | ... | 35.20 | |
níos mó ná £18 gan bheith níos mó ná £20 | ... | ... | 34.20 | |
níos mó ná £20 gan bheith níos mó ná £22 | ... | ... | 33.20 | |
níos mó ná £22 gan bheith níos mó ná £24 | ... | ... | 32.20 | |
níos mó ná £24 gan bheith níos mó ná £26 | ... | ... | 31.20 | |
níos mó ná £26 gan bheith níos mó ná £28 | ... | ... | 30.20 | |
níos mó ná £28 gan bheith níos mó ná £30 | ... | ... | 29.20 | |
níos mó ná £30 gan bheith níos mó ná £32 | ... | ... | 28.20 | |
níos mó ná £32 gan bheith níos mó ná £34 | ... | ... | 27.20 | |
níos mó ná £34 gan bheith níos mó ná £36 | ... | ... | 26.20 | |
níos mó ná £36 gan bheith níos mó ná £38 | ... | ... | 25.20 | |
níos mó ná £38 gan bheith níos mó ná £40 | ... | ... | 24.20 | |
níos mó ná £40 gan bheith níos mó ná £42 | ... | ... | 23.20 | |
níos mó ná £42 gan bheith níos mó ná £44 | ... | ... | 22.20 | |
níos mó ná £44 gan bheith níos mó ná £46 | ... | ... | 21.20 | |
níos mó ná £46 gan bheith níos mó ná £48 | ... | ... | 20.20 | |
níos mó ná £48 gan bheith níos mó ná £50 | ... | ... | 19.20 | |
níos mó ná £50 gan bheith níos mó ná £52 | ... | ... | 18.20 | |
níos mó ná £52 gan bheith níos mó ná £54 | ... | ... | 17.20 | |
níos mó ná £54 gan bheith níos mó ná £56 | ... | ... | 16.20 | |
níos mó ná £56 gan bheith níos mó ná £58 | ... | ... | 15.20 | |
níos mó ná £58 gan bheith níos mó ná £60 | ... | ... | 14.20 | |
níos mó ná £60 gan bheith níos mó ná £62 | ... | ... | 13.20 | |
níos mó ná £62 gan bheith níos mó ná £64 | ... | ... | 12.20 | |
níos mó ná £64 gan bheith níos mó ná £66 | ... | ... | 11.20 | |
níos mó ná £66 gan bheith níos mó ná £68 | ... | ... | 10.20 | |
níos mó ná £68 gan bheith níos mó ná £70 | ... | ... | 9.20 | |
níos mó ná £70 gan bheith níos mó ná £72 | ... | ... | 8.20 | |
níos mó ná £72 gan bheith níos mó ná £74 | ... | ... | 7.20 | |
níos mó ná £74 | Neamhní | |||
”.