As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimhir 28 de 1960.
AN tACHT LEASA SHÓISIALAIGH (FORÁLACHA ILGHNÉITHEACHA), 1960.
[An tiontú oifigiúil.]
Léiriú.
1908, c.40.
1911, c.16.
1.—(1) San Acht seo, muran léir a mhalairt d'intinn—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1908” an Old Age Pensions Act, 1908;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1911” an Old Age Pensions Act, 1911;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1952” an tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1952;
ciallaíonn “na hAchtanna” Achtanna na bPinsean Sean-Aoise, 1908 go 1960;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Leasa Shóisialaigh;
ciallaíonn “pinsean” pinsean faoi na hAchtanna;
ciallaíonn “oifigeach leasa shóisialaigh” oifigeach dá dtagraítear de bhua alt 24 den Acht seo mar oifigeach leasa shóisialaigh.
(2) Muran léir a mhalairt d'intinn, ní fholaíonn na tagairtí atá san Acht seo do na hAchtanna nó do na hAchtanna Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1952 go 1960, tagairtí don Acht seo.
Méadú ar rátaí pinsean seanaoise.
2.—Déantar leis seo gach ceann ar leith de na rátaí 27s. 6d., 22s. 6d., 17s. 6d. agus 12s. 6d., atá leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann le fo-alt (2) d'alt 77 d'Acht 1952 de bhua alt 1 den Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1959, a mhéadú 1s. 0d.
Méadú ar rátaí cúnaimh dhífhostaíochta.
1933. Uimh. 46.
3.—San Acht um Chúnamh Dhíomhaointis, 1933, déantar leis seo an méid seo a leanas a chur in ionad an Sceidil a cuireadh leis an Acht sin le halt 2 den Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1959:
“AN SCEIDEAL.
Na Rátaí Cúnaimh Dhífhostaíochta.
Na haicmí daoine lena mbaineann na rátaí cúnaimh dhífhostaíochta atá leagtha amach sa Sceideal seo. | An ráta cúnaimh dhífhostaíochta a bhaineann le daoine atá ina gcónaí in aon limistéar uirbeach. | An ráta cúnaimh dhífhostaíochta a bhaineann le daoine atá ina gcónaí in aon áit eile. |
Sa tseachtain | Sa tseachtain | |
Duine gan cleithiúnaí ... | 20s. 0d. | 14s. 0d. |
Duine ag a bhfuil cleithiúnaí aosaithe ... ... | 34s. 6d. | 26s. 6d. |
Duine ag a bhfuil cleithiúnaí aosaithe agus leanbh cleithiúnach amháin ... | 41s. 6d. | 32s. 6d. |
Duine ag a bhfuil cleithiúnaí aosaithe agus beirt leanaí cleithiúnacha nó níos mó ... ... | 47s. 6d. | 37s. 6d. |
móide, má bhíonn níos mó ná beirt leanaí cleithiúnacha ann, 1s. 0d. i leith gach linbh chleithiúnaigh de bhreis ar bheirt. | móide, má bhíonn níos mó ná beirt leanaí cleithiúnacha ann, 1s. 0d. i leith gach linbh chleithiúnaigh de bhreis ar bheirt. | |
Duine ag a bhfuil aon leanbh cleithiúnach amháin ... | 27s. 0d. | 20s. 6d. |
Duine ag a bhfuil beirt leanaí cleithiúnacha nó níos mó ... ... ... | 33s. 0d. | 25s. 0d. |
móide, má bhíonn níos mó ná beirt leanaí cleithiúnacha ann, 1s. 0d. i leith gach linbh chleithiúnaigh de bhreis ar bheirt. | móide, má bhíonn níos mó ná beirt leanaí cleithiúnacha ann, 1s. 0d. i leith gach linbh chleithiúnaigh de bhreis ar bheirt. |
”
Méadú ar rátaí pinsean (neamhranníocach).
4.—I dTábla B a ghabhann le halt 20 den Acht um Pinsin do Bhaintreacha agus do Dhílleachtaithe, 1935, is é sin, an t-alt a cuireadh isteach le halt 105 d'Acht 1952, cuirtear, tríd seo, na rátaí atá leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo in ionad na rátaí atá, de bhua alt 3 den Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1959, leagtha amach sa Tábla sin B.
AN TÁBLA.
Rátaí Seachtainiúla Pinsean (Neamhranníocach) Baintreach.
Rátaí Seachtainiúla | ||||
Acmhainn na Baintrí | Baintreach, gan aon leanbh cáilithe | Baintreach, leanbh cáilithe amháin | Baintreach, beirt leanaí cáilithe nó níos mó | |
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | |
scilling | scilling | scilling | ||
Má bhíonn acmhainn bhliantúil na baintrí arna ríomh go cuí— | ||||
gan bheith níos mó ná £52 10s. 0d. | 27 | 36 | 44 | Móide, má bhíonn níos mó ná beirt leanaí cáilithe ann, 3 scilling agus 6 phingin i leith gach linbh cháilithe de bhreis ar bheirt. |
níos mó ná £52 10s. 0d. gan bheith níos mó ná £65 10s. 0d. | 22 | 31 | 39 | |
níos mó ná £65 10s. gan bheith níos mó ná £78 10s. 0d. | 17 | 26 | 34 | |
níos mó ná £78 10s. 0d. gan bheith níos mó ná £104 15s. 0d. | 12 | 21 | 29 | |
níos mó ná £104 15s. 0d. gan bheith níos mó ná £117 15s. 0d. | Neamhní | 9 | 17 | |
níos mó ná £117 15s. 0d. gan bheith níos mó ná £130 15s. 0d. | Neamhní | Neamhní | 9 | |
níos mó ná £130 15s. 0d. ... ... | Neamhní | Neamhní | Neamhní | |
Méadú ar rátaí pinsean (neamhranníocach dílleachtaí.
5.—Sa Tábla a ghabhann le halt 25 den Acht um Pinsin do Bhaintreacha agus do Dhílleachtaithe, 1935, is é sin, an t-alt a cuireadh isteach le halt 106 d'Acht 1952, cuirtear, tríd seo, na rátaí atá leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo in ionad na rátaí atá leagtha amach sa Tábla sin.
AN TÁBLA.
Rátaí Seachtainiúla Pinsean (Neamhranníocach) Dílleachtaí.
Acmhainn an dílleachta | Na rátaí seachtainiúla | ||||||||
|
| s. | d. | ||||||
Má bhíonn acmhainn bhliantúil an dílleachta, arna ríomh go cuí— | |||||||||
gan bheith níos mó ná £6 12s. 6d. | ... | ... | ... | 15 | 0 | ||||
níos mó ná £6 12s. 6d. gan bheith níos mó ná £13 2s. 6d. | 11 | 6 | |||||||
,, ,, ,, £13 2s. 6d. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, £19 12s. 6d. | 7 | 6 | |||||||
,, ,, ,, £19 12s. 6d. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, £26 5s. 0d. | 4 | 0 | |||||||
,, ,, ,, £26 5s. 0d. | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | Neamhní | |||
Pinsin a íoc le daoine a chónaíonn i dTuaisceart Éireann.
6.—I gcás ina raibh duine, a rachaidh nó a chuaigh chun cónaithe i dTuaisceart Éireann, ag fáil pinsin, díreach sula ndeachaigh sé chun cónaithe ann, féadfar an pinsean a íoc d'ainneoin aon ní i mír (a) d'alt 5 d'Acht 1911 ach faoi réir mhír (b) den alt sin,—
(a) go ceann tréimhse cúig bliana ó thosach an chónaithe sin a bhí cónaí leanúnach ar an duine sin i dTuaisceart Éireann, nó
(b) go bhfaighidh an duine íocaíocht i modh pinsin sheanaoise nó cúnaimh phoiblí ón údarás iomchuí i dTuaisceart Éireann,
cibé acu is túisce a tharlóidh.
Síneadh ama le pinsean a íoc.
7.—D'ainneoin fhorálacha mhír (b) d'alt 5 d'Acht 1911, in aon chás a measfaidh an tAire, nó oifigeach arna údarú chuige sin le treoracha speisialta nó ginearálta ón Aire, gur cuí sin a dhéanamh agus go n-ordóidh sé amhlaidh, féadfar suim a íoc ar cuntas pinsin tráth ar bith laistigh de shé mhí ón dáta a tháinig sé chun bheith iníoctha.
Pinsin daoine i bhforais mheabhair-ghalar áirithe.
8.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, déanfar iomlán aon suimeanna is iníoctha de bhun pinsin le duine an fad a bheidh an duine sin ar coinneáil in ospidéal meabhair-ghalar ceantair nó i bhfo-ospidéal meabhair-ghalar de réir bhrí an Achta Cóireála Meabhair-Ghalar, 1945, nó an fad a bheidh sé ar coinneáil in aon áit mar othar inmhuirir, de réir bhrí an Achta sin, nó mar ghealt coiriúil, a leithreasú mar chabhair chun costais cothabhála an duine san áit ina mbeidh sé ar coinneáil.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfar pinsean duine a leithreasú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh an duine is feighilteoir, de réir bhrí an Achta réamhráite, ar an áit ina mbeidh an duine sin ar coinneáil, nó, má bhíonn an duine ar coinneáil sa Phríomh-Ghealtlann Choiriúil, Dún Droma, de réir bhrí an Achta réamhráite, féadfaidh Lia Cónaitheach agus Gobharnóir na Príomh-Ghealtlainne Coiriúla sin, as a chomhairle féin, cibé cuid (nach mó ná deich scilling sa tseachtain) den phinsean is iomchuí leis sna himthosca áirithe a íoc leis an duine chun a úsáide féin, más dóigh leis gur féidir leis an duine an chuid a íocfar leis amhlaidh a úsáid i gceart.
Fágfar codanna den mhéadú ar phinsin áirithe gan áireamh mar acmhainn chun críocha na nAchtanna.
9.—D'ainneoin aon ní atá sna rialacha atá sa Seachtú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1952—
(a) má bhíonn pinsean i gcúrsa a íoctha le duine nó le céile an duine nó leis an mbeirt acu,
(b) má bhíonn pinsean nó liúntas a soláthraíodh le reacht nó faoi reacht (seachas na hAchtanna) nó is iníoctha as airgead a riarann rialtas eile (dá ngairtear an pinsean reachtúil san alt seo) i gcúrsa a íoctha leis an duine nó le céile an duine nó leis an mbeirt acu, agus
(c) go dtiocfaidh méadú ar an bpinsean reachtúil nó na pinsin reachtúla an lú lá de Lúnasa, 1960, nó dá éis,
ansin, nuair a bheidh acmhainn an duine nó acmhainn chéile an duine nó acmhainn na beirte acu á ríomh chun críocha na nAchtanna, ní áireofar mar acmhainn aon chuid den mhéadú ar an bpinsean reachtúil nó ar na pinsin reachtúla a dhéanfadh, dá n-áirítí mar acmhainn é, méid an phinsin nó na gcomhphinsean, de réir mar a bheidh, a laghdú de mhéid ba mhó ná an méadú.
Leasú ar alt 13 den Acht um Chúnamh Dhíomhaointis, 1933.
10.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 13 den Acht um Chúnamh Dhíomhaointis, 1933, trí na fo-mhíreanna seo a leanas a chur isteach i mír (b) d'fho-alt (1) i ndiaidh fho-mhír (vii) (a cuireadh isteach le hAcht 1952):
“(viii) aon ioncam ó bhónas faoi scéim a riarann Aire na Gaeltachta chun deontais speisialta a thabhairt do dhaoine a chónaíonn sa Ghaeltacht nó sa Bhreac-Ghaeltacht agus is tuistí nó caomhnóirí leanaí a fhreastalann bun-scoileanna,
(ix) méid aon liúntais, liúntais chleithiúnaí, pinsin mhíchumais nó pinsin chréachta faoi na hAchtanna Arm-Phinsean, 1923 go 1960, nó aon phinsin faoi Achtanna na bPinsean Seirbhíse Míleata, 1924 go 1960, nó aon phinsin faoi na hAchtanna um na Connaught Rangers (Pinsin), 1936 go 1960, nó méid aon liúntais den sórt sin nó aon phinsin den sórt sin i dteannta a chéile ach amháin an oiread is mó an méid sin ná £80 sa bhliain.”
Srian le halt 19 den Acht um Chúnamh Dhíomhaointis, 1933.
1933, Uimh 46.
11.—Ní bheidh feidhm ag mír (a) d'alt 19 den Acht um Chúnamh Dhíomhaointis, 1933, maidir le cúnamh dífhostaíochta a íoc le duine a scoir, an lá seachtaine deiridh roimh an lá ar ina aghaidh a dhéanfar iarratas ar chúnamh dífhostaíochta, de theideal a bheith aige chun sochair dhífhostaíochta—
(a) toisc a theideal chun an tsochair sin a bheith caite aige de bhun fho-alt (2) d'alt 16 d'Acht 1952, nó
(b) má bhíonn an duine os cionn seasca a cúig bliana d'aois, toisc gan an coinníoll ranníoca atá leagtha amach i bhfo-mhír (b) de mhír 1 den Cheathrú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1952 a bheith comhlíonta aige.
Leasú ar alt 5 den Acht um Chúnamh Dhíomhaointis (Leasú), 1940.
12.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 5 den Acht um Chúnamh Dhíomhaointis (Leasú), 1940, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (2) :
“(3) I gcás inar deimhin leis an gCoimisinéir Luachála aon deimhniú a bheidh tugtha aige, cibé acu roimh thosach feidhme an Achta Leasa Shóisialaigh (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 1960, nó dá éis sin é, faoin alt seo nó a bheidh leasaithe aige faoin bhfo-alt seo, a bheith earráideach toisc dearmad a bheith ann maidir le haon phointe dlí nó fíorais ar a dtug an Coimisinéir aird nuair a bhí an deimhniú á dhéanamh amach aige, nó mar is léir ó aon fhíoras a tháinig ar a aird ó thug sé an deimhniú, féadfaidh an Coimisinéir an deimhniú a leasú chun an earráid a bheidh ann a cheartú agus beidh éifeacht ag fo-alt (2) den alt seo maidir le deimhniú arna leasú faoin bhfo-alt seo ionann agus dá mba thagairtí do dheimhniú arna leasú faoin bhfo-alt seo na tagairtí atá ann do dheimhniú.”
Leasú ar an Seachtú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1952.
13.—Leasaítear leis seo an Seachtú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1952—
(a) trí “agus aon ioncam i bhfoirm íocaíochtaí ar scór liúntais chothabhála faoi alt 50 den Acht Sláinte, 1953, leis an duine,” a chur isteach i bhfo-mhír (f) de mhír II de riail 1 i ndiaidh “leith”,
(b) trí “nó aon phinsin faoi na hAchtanna um na Connaught Rangers (Pinsin), 1936 go 1960,” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “1924 go 1949” i bhfo-mhír (g) den mhír sin (II) den riail sin 1, agus
(c) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-mhír (1) sa mhír sin (II) :
“(j) i gcás baintrí nach duine dall agus a bhfuil leanbh cáilithe nó leanaí cáilithe aici a chónaíonn go rialta léi, a tuilleamh go léir ó fhostaíocht is fostaíocht a shonraítear sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo ach amháin agus a mhéid a río>mhfar suim bhliantúil an tuillimh sin a bheith níos mó ná £39 i leith gach linbh den sórt sin”.
Leasú ar an gCéad Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1952.
1952, I.R. Uimh. 373.
14.—Leasaítear leis seo Cuid I den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1952—
(a) trí “nó i státseirbhís an Stáit” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “Rialtais” i bhfo-mhír (a) agus i bhfo-mhír (b) de mhír 3, agus
(b) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh mhír 8 (a cuireadh isteach leis na Rialacháin Leasa Shóisialaigh (Aireamh agus Eisiamh i leith Arachais), 1952):
“9. Fostaíocht mar bhean chabhartha faoi oiliúint, bean chabhartha foghlama, bean chabhartha faoi theagasc, bean chabhartha ar promhadh, banaltra faoi oiliúint, banaltra foghlama, banaltra faoi theagasc, nó banaltra ar promhadh. Sa mhír seo folaíonn ‘banaltra’ banaltra naíolainne, nó banaltra leanaí.”
Leasú ar an gCeathrú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1952.
15.—Leasaítear leis seo an Ceathrú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1952 trí “in aghaidh na tréimhse dar tosach tráth an t-éilitheoir dul faoi árachas agus dar críoch tráth díreach” a chur isteach i gclásal (i) d'fho-mhír (b) de mhír 3 i ndiaidh “éilitheora”.
Fógra i dtaobh méadú a theacht ar acmhainn daoine a bheidh ag éileamh nó ag fáil pinsean.
16.—(1) I gcás—
(a) pinsean a bheith á fháil ag duine nó éileamh ar phinsean nár cinneadh go críochnaitheach a bheith déanta aige, agus
(b) (i) ioncam an duine sin in airgead, nó
(ii) an méid maoine atá ag an duine sin nó a úsáideann nó a theachtann sé go pearsanta,
a bheith méadaithe ón dáta deiridh a rinne oifigeach leasa shóisialaigh fiosrú faoi nó, mura ndearnadh fiosrú ar bith den sórt sin, ón dáta a rinneadh an t-éileamh réamhráite, déanfaidh an duine, roimh dheireadh na tréimhse is déanaí de na tréimhsí seo a leanas, is é sin le rá:
(I) an tréimhse trí mhí dar tosach dáta tosach feidhme an Achta seo,
(II) an tréimhse trí mhí tar éis deireadh na míosa inar tharla an méadú réamhráite,
fógra i dtaobh an méadú a thabhairt, nó a chur faoi deara go dtabharfar é, d'oifigeach leasa shóisialaigh.
(2) Dlífidh duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) den alt seo nó, má bhíonn sé marbh, a ionadaí pearsanta, mura gcruthófar don Aire nárbh eol don duine an méadú lenar bhain an sárú, agus d'ainneoin aon ní atá i bhfo-alt (3) d'alt 6 d'Acht 1911, go n-íocfaidh sé leis an Aire ar an Aire á éileamh sin—
(a) má bhí an duine sin, de dheasca an sárú sin, ag fáil pinsean am nach raibh sé i dteideal é a fháil, na suimeanna a íocadh leis ar scór an phinsin i rith an ama sin, agus
(b) má bhí an duine sin, de dheasca an sárú sin, ag fáil pinsean de mhéid ba mhó ná an méid a raibh teideal aige a fháil, na codanna sin de na suimeanna a íocadh leis ar scór an phinsin agus ar bhreis iad ar na suimeanna a bhí sé i dteideal a fháil.
(3) Aon suim is iníoctha ag duine leis an Aire faoin alt seo is fiach í a bheidh dlite den duine don Aire.
Daoine a bhfuil pinsean á fháil acu do thabhairt eolais d'oifigigh leasa shóisialaigh.
17.—(1) Aon duine a bheidh ag fáil pinsean déanfaidh sé, ar oifigeach leasa shóisialaigh dá iarraidh sin air i gcúrsa fiosrúcháin i dtaobh acmhainn an duine, agus laistigh de cibé tréimhse (nach giorra ná tríocha lá) a shonrófar san iarraidh—
(a) cibé eolas, leabhair agus doiciméid a bheidh ar urláimh nó i seilbh an duine nó ar fáil aige agus a iarrfaidh an t-oifigeach le réasún a thabhairt dó, a ligean dó sleachta a thógáil as na leabhair agus as na doiciméid agus cibé eolas a thabhairt dó a iarrfaidh sé le réasún maidir leis na sleachta sin, agus
(b) údarás a thabhairt don oifigeach aon taifid maidir le gnó an duine i leabhair aon bhainc (lena n-áirítear aon bhanc taisce) a scrúdú agus cóipeanna a dhéanamh de na taifid sin agus cibé eolas a thabhairt don oifigeach a bheidh ar urláimh nó i seilbh an duine nó ar fáil aige agus a iarrfaidh sé le réasún maidir leis na taifid sin.
(2) Má mhainníonn duine a bheidh ag fáil pinsean déanamh de réir iarrata faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, déanfaidh an tAire, nó oifigeach don Aire a bheidh údaraithe go cuí chuige sin ag an Aire, íoc an phinsin a fhionraí, agus
(a) mairfidh an fhionraí sin go dtí cibé tráth (más aon tráth é) a dhéanfar de réir na hiarrata nó is deimhin leis an Aire—
(i) nach bhfuil aon chuid den eolas nó aon cheann de na leabhair nó de na doiciméid lenar bhain an iarraidh ar urláimh ná i seilbh an duine nó nach fáil aige ar an gcéanna,
(ii) nach ndearna an duine aon cheann de na leabhair nó de na doiciméid sin a dhiúscairt, ó rinneadh an iarraidh, chun eolas i dtaobh a acmhainne a cheilt, agus
(iii) má iarradh an t-údarás dá dtagraítear i mír (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo, gur tugadh an t-údarás sin,
(b) ní bheidh teideal ag an duine tráth ar bith aon íocaíocht a fháil ar scór an phinsin in aghaidh tréimhse fionraí an phinsin ach amháin, i gcás a n-atosófar faoi mhír (c) den fho-alt seo ar an bpinsean a íoc, cibé íocaíocht (más aon íocaíocht í) a dhéanfar leis faoin mír sin, agus
(c) cibé tráth (más aon tráth é) a dhéanfar de réir na hiarrata nó a bheidh an tAire deimhnitheach mar a dúradh, agus má bhíonn teideal ag an duine an tráth sin, ag féachaint dá acmhainn, chun an pinsean a fháil, atosófar ar an bpinsean a íoc, de réir cibé ráta is iomchuí an tráth sin ag féachaint dá acmhainn agus íocfar leis an duine cibé suim (más aon suim í) in aghaidh tréimhse fionraí an phinsin is cuí leis an Aire sna himthosca.
Ionadaithe pearsanta daoine a bhí ag fáil pinsean do thabhairt eolais d'oifigigh leasa shóisialaigh.
18.—(1) Déanfaidh ionadaí pearsanta duine a gheobhaidh bás tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo agus a bhí ag fáil pinsean tráth ar bith, déanfaidh sé, ar oifigeach leasa shóisialaigh á iarraidh sin air chun críocha fiosrúcháin agus tuarascála maidir leis an bpinsean, agus laistigh de cibé tréimhse (nach giorra ná tríocha lá) a shonrófar san iarraidh—
(a) cibé eolas, leabhair agus doiciméid maidir le gnó an duine a bheidh ar urláimh nó i seilbh an ionadaí phearsanta nó ar fáil aige agus a iarrfaidh an t-oifigeach le réasún a thabhairt dó agus a ligean don oifigeach sleachta a thógáil as na leabhair agus as na doiciméid, agus cibé eolas a thabhairt dó a iarrfaidh sé le réasún maidir leis na sleachta sin, agus
(b) údarás a thabhairt don oifigeach aon taifid maidir le gnó an duine i leabhair aon bhainc (lena n-áirítear aon bhanc taisce) a scrúdú agus cóipeanna a dhéanamh de na taifid sin agus cibé eolas a thabhairt don oifigeach a bheidh ar urláimh nó i seilbh an duine nó ar fáil aige agus a iarrfaidh sé le réasún maidir leis na taifid sin.
(2) Aon duine a mhainneoidh déanamh de réir iarrata faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air nó, más rogha leis an gCúirt é, príosúnacht ar feadh aon téarma nach faide ná trí mhí nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile.
Forálacha mar chabhair chun ró-íocaíochtaí pinsin a aisghabháil as eastáit daoine éagtha.
19.—(1) Déanfaidh ionadaí pearsanta duine a éagfaidh tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo, agus a bhí tráth ar bith ag fáil pinsean déanfaidh sé, sula ndáile sé sócmhainní an duine, a chur in iúl don Aire, trí fhógra i scríbhinn a sheachadfar don Aire trí mhí ar a laghad sula dtosóidh an dáileadh, go bhfuil ar intinn aige na sócmhainní a dháileadh.
(2) Aon ionadaí pearsanta a sháróidh fo-alt (1) den alt seo agus a dháilfidh sócmhainní an duine arb é ionadaí a eastáit é gan aon suim a íoc a bheidh dlite don Aire i leith—
(a) íocaíochtaí pinsin a íocadh leis an duine nuair nach raibh teideal ag an duine an pinsean a fháil, nó
(b) íocaíochtaí pinsin a íocadh leis an duine de bhreis ar na méideanna a raibh teideal ag an duine iad a fháil,
dlífidh sé go pearsanta an méid sin a aisíoc leis an Aire is comhionann leis an méid (más aon mhéid é) a bheadh an tAire tar éis a fháil dá ndéantaí, agus eastát an duine á riaradh, an tsuim a dúradh a chur san áireamh go cuí agus a aisíoc leis an Aire a mhéid (más aon mhéid é) is iomchuí ag féachaint do shócmhainní an duine, agus beidh an méid sin ina fhiach a bheidh dlite den ionadaí pearsanta don Aire.
Forálacha ginearálta i dtaobh inchúiseamh faoi na hAchtanna.
20.—(1) Ní dhéanfar imeachtaí i leith ciona faoi na hAchtanna (lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo) nó faoi rialacháin faoi na hAchtanna a thionscnamh ach amháin ag an Aire nó le toiliú an Aire nó ag oifigeach a bheidh údaraithe chuige sin le horduithe speisialta nó ginearálta ón Aire.
(2) Féadfar inchúiseamh i leith ciona faoi na hAchtanna (lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo) nó faoi rialacháin faoi na hAchtanna a thionscnamh ar agra an Aire.
(3) D'ainneoin aon fhoráil in aon Acht ag sonrú na tréimhse ar laistigh di a fhéadfar imeachtaí achomaire a thionscnamh, féadfar imeachtaí i leith ciona faoi na hAchtanna (lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo) nó faoi rialacháin faoi na hAchtanna a thosú tráth ar bith laistigh den tréimhse trí mhí ón dáta a bhfaighidh an tAire fianaise is leor dar leis chun gur ceart inchúiseamh a dhéanamh i leith an chiona, nó laistigh den tréimhse dhá mhí déag ón tráth a rinneadh an cion, cibé tréimhse acu is déanaí a mbeidh deireadh léi.
(4) Chun críocha fho-alt (3) den alt seo, beidh deimhniú, a bheidh séalaithe le séala oifigiúil an Aire, i dtaobh an dáta a fuair sé fianaise mar a dúradh ina fhianaise dhochloíte air sin.
(5) Beidh éifeacht ag an alt seo maidir le himeachtaí i leith ciontaí a dhéanfar tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo.
Toimhde go bhfuarthas pinsin áirithe go cuí
21.—(1) Más rud é, in aon imeachtaí síbhialta in aon Chúirt, go gcruthófar don Chúirt gur lamháladh nó gur dámhadh pinsean de bhun éilimh ó dhuine nó thar ceann duine nó gur athraíodh méid an phinsin ab iníoctha le duine nó i leith duine agus go raibh an pinsean a lamháladh nó a dámhadh amhlaidh nó a athraíodh amhlaidh i gcúrsa a íoctha tráth ar bith leis an duine lenarbh iníoctha an pinsean, toimhdeofar, i ngach cás, mura gcruthaítear a mhalairt, go raibh an duine sin ag fáil pinsean den mhéid a lamháladh nó a dámhadh amhlaidh nó a athraíodh amhlaidh, de réir mar a bheidh, ón dáta a tháinig an pinsean den méid a lamháladh nó a dámhadh amhlaidh nó a athraíodh amhlaidh, de réir mar a bheidh, chun bheith iníoctha, go dtí an dáta más aon dáta é, a n-athrófar an pinsean nó a n-athrófar tuilleadh é, de réir mar a bheidh, nó an dáta a scoirfidh an pinsean de bheith iníoctha, cibé acu mar gheall ar bhás an duine nó cúis eile é, cibé dáta acu is túisce.
(2) San alt seo ciallaíonn “pinsean” pinsean faoi na hAchtanna nó pinsean faoi na hAchtanna um Pinsin do Bhaintreacha agus do Dhílleachtaí, 1935 go 1959.
Leasú ar alt 9 d'Acht 1908.
22.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 9 d'Acht 1908 tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach in ionad fho-alt (1):
“(1) Every person who, after the commencement of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1960—
(a) for the purpose of obtaining or continuing a pension, either for himself or for any other person, or for the purpose of obtaining or continuing a pension, either for himself or for any other person, which is of an amount in excess of the amount appropriate to the case, knowingly makes any statement or representation (whether written or oral) which is to his knowledge false or misleading in any material respect, or knowingly conceals any fact which is to his knowledge material, or
(b) knowingly obtains payment of, or continues to receive, a pension which he is not entitled to receive or which is of an amount in excess of the amount which he is entitled to receive,
shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”
Ró-íocaíochtaí pinsin a aisghabháil trí imeachtaí sibhialta.
23.—Aon fhiach a bheidh dlite don Stát nó don Aire faoi na hAchtanna nó faoin Acht seo i leith íocaíochtaí pinsin a íocadh le daoine tráthanna nach raibh teideal acu iad a fháil nó íocaíochtaí pinsin a íocadh le daoine de bhreis ar na méideanna a raibh teideal acu iad a fháil, féadfaidh an tAire, gan dochar d'aon leigheas eile, é a aisghabháil mar fhiach conartha shimplí in aon Chúirt dlínse inniúla.
Oifigigh leasa shóisialaigh.
24.—Na hoifigigh seo a leanas, is é sin le rá:
(a) oifigigh pinsin faoi na hAchtanna,
(b) oifigigh fiosrúcháin faoi na hAchtanna um Pinsin do Bhaintreacha agus do Dhílleachtaí, 1935 go 1959, agus
(c) oifigigh fiosrúcháin faoi na hAchtanna Leasa Shóisialaigh (Liúntais Leanaí), 1944 go 1957,
tabharfar oifigigh leasa shóisialaigh orthu, agus is mar sin a thagraítear dóibh san Acht seo, agus déanfar na tagairtí in aon reacht nó in aon ionstraim a rinneadh faoi reacht d'aon oifigigh acu sin a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí d'oifigigh leasa shóisialaigh.
Aisghairm.
25.—Aisghairtear leis seo mír (c) d'fho-alt (1) agus fo-alt (3) d'alt 3 d'Acht 1908 agus fo-alt (4) d'alt 7 d'Acht 1911.
Gearrtheideal, tosach feidhme, forléiriú agus comhlua.
26.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Leasa Shóisialaigh (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 1960, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh an lú lá de Lúnasa, 1960.
(3) Déanfar an tAcht seo, a mhéid a leasaíonn agus a leathnaíonn sé na hAchtanna, agus na hAchtanna a fhorléiriú mar aon ní amháin agus folófar é sa chomhlua sin agus, a mhéid a leasaíonn agus a leathnaíonn sé na hAchtanna um Chúnamh Dífhostaíochta, 1933 go 1959, forléireofar é agus iad mar aon ní amháin, agus féadfar na hAchtanna um Chúnamh Dífhostaíochta, 1933 go 1960, a ghairm de agus díobh le chéile agus, a mhéid a leasaíonn agus a leathnaíonn sé na hAchtanna um Pinsin do Bhaintreacha agus do Dhílleachtaí, 1935 go 1959, forléireofar é agus iad mar aon ní amháin agus féadfar na hAchtanna um Pinsin do Bhaintreacha agus do Dhílleachtaí, 1935 go 1960, a ghairm de agus díobh le chéile agus, a mhéid a leasaíonn agus a leathaníonn sé na hAchtanna Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1952 go 1960, forléireofar é agus iad mar aon ní amháin agus folófar sa chomhlua sin é.
Number 28 of 1960.
SOCIAL WELFARE (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT, 1960.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Acts Referred to | |
Old Age Pensions Act, 1908 | 1908, c. 40 |
Old Age Pensions Act, 1911 | 1911, c. 16 |
1952, No. 11 | |
1959, No. 13 | |
1933, No. 46 | |
1935, No. 29 | |
1945, No. 19 | |
1940, No. 4 | |
1953, No. 26 | |
Social Welfare (Insurance Inclusions and Exclusions) Regulations, 1952 | 1952, S.I. No. 373 |
Number 28 of 1960.
SOCIAL WELFARE (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT, 1960.
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—
“the Act of 1908” means the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908;
“the Act of 1911” means the Old Age Pensions Act, 1911;
“the Act of 1952” means the Social Welfare Act, 1952;
“the Acts” means the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 to 1960;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Social Welfare;
“pension” means a pension under the Acts;
“social welfare officer” means an officer referred to by virtue of section 24 of this Act as a social welfare officer.
(2) References in this Act to the Acts or to the Social Welfare Acts, 1952 to 1960, do not, unless the contrary intention appears, include references to this Act.
Increase of rates of old age pensions.
2.—The rates of 27s. 6d., 22s. 6d., 17s. 6d. and 12s. 6d. set forth in the Table to subsection (2) of section 77 of the Act of 1952 by virtue of section 1 of the Social Welfare Act, 1959, are each hereby increased by 1s. 0d.
Increase of rates of unemployment assistance.
3.—In the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933, for the Schedule thereto inserted by section 2 of the Social Welfare Act, 1959, there is hereby substituted the following:
“SCHEDULE.
Rates of Unemployment Assistance.
Classes of persons to whom the rates of unemployment assistance set out in this Schedule are applicable. | Rate of unemployment assistance applicable to persons resident in any urban area. | Rate of unemployment assistance applicable to persons resident in any other place. |
per week | per week | |
Person without a dependant | 20s. 0d. | 14s. 0d. |
Person with an adult dependant | 34s. 6d. | 26s. 6d. |
Person with an adult dependant and one child dependant | 41s. 6d. | 32s. 6d. |
Person with an adult dependant and two or more child dependants | 47s. 6d. | 37s. 6d. |
plus, where there are more than two child dependants, 1s. 0d. for each child dependant in excess of two. | plus, where there are more than two child dependants, 1s. 0d. for each child dependant in excess of two. | |
Person with one child dependant | 27s. 0d. | 20s. 0d. |
Person with two or more child dependants | 33s. 0d. | 25s. 0d. |
plus, where there are more than two child dependants, 1s. 0d. for each child dependant in excess of two. | plus, where there are more than two child dependants, 1s. 0d. for each child dependant in excess of two. |
”
Increase of rates of widows' (non-contributory) pensions.
4.—In Table B to section 20 of the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act, 1935, being the section inserted by section 105 of the Act of 1952, for the rates set forth therein by virtue of section 3 of the Social Welfare Act, 1959, there are hereby substituted the rates set forth in the Table to this section.
TABLE.
Weekly Rates of Widows' (Non-Contributory) Pensions.
Weekly Rates | ||||||
Means of Widow | Widow, no qualified child | Widow, one qualified child | Widow, two or more qualified children | |||
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | |||
shillings | shillings | shillings | ||||
Where the yearly means of the widow as duly calculated— | ||||||
do not exceed £52 10s. 0d. | 27 | 36 | 44 | } | Plus, where there are more than two qualified children, 3 shillings and 6 pence for each qualified child in excess of two. | |
exceed £52 10s. 0d. but do not exceed £65 10s. 0d. | 22 | 31 | 39 | |||
exceed £65 10s. 0d. but do not exceed £78 10s. 0d. | 17 | 26 | 34 | |||
exceed £78 10s. 0d. but do not exceed £104 15s. 0d. | 12 | 21 | 29 | |||
exceed £104 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £117 15s. 0d. | No pension | 9 | 17 | |||
exceed £117 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £130 15s. 0d. | No pension | No pension | 9 | |||
exceed £130 15s. 0d. | No pension | No pension | No pension | |||
Increase of rates of orphans' (non-contributory) pensions.
5.—In the Table to section 25 of the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act, 1935, being the section inserted by section 106 of the Act of 1952, for the rates set forth therein, there are hereby substituted the rates set forth in the Table to this section.
TABLE.
Weekly Rates of Orphans' (Non-Contributory) Pensions.
Means of orphan | Weekly rates | |||||||
s. | d. | |||||||
Where the yearly means of the orphan as duly calculated— | ||||||||
do not exceed £6 12s. 6d. | 15 | 0 | ||||||
exceed | £6 12s. 6d. | but | do | not | exceed | £13 2s. 6d. | 11 | 6 |
” | £13 2s. 6d. | ” | ” | ” | ” | £19 12s. 6d. | 7 | 6 |
” | £19 12s. 6d. | ” | ” | ” | ” | £26 5s. 0d. | 4 | 0 |
” | £26 5s. 0d. | No | pension | |||||
Payment of pension to persons resident in Northern Ireland.
6.—Where a person who takes up or has taken up residence in Northern Ireland was, immediately before the commencement of such residence, in receipt of a pension, payment of the pension may, notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph (a) of section 5 of the Act of 1911 but subject to paragraph (b) of that section, be made until either—
(a) the expiration of a period of five years from the commencement of such residence during which the person was continuously resident in Northern Ireland, or
(b) the receipt by the person of a payment by way of old age pension or public assistance from the appropriate authority in Northern Ireland,
whichever should first occur.
Extension of time for payment of pension.
7.—Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of section 5 of the Act of 1911, in any case where the Minister, or an officer authorised in that behalf by special or general directions of the Minister, so thinks fit and so directs, a sum may be paid on account of a pension at any time within six months after the date on which it has become payable.
Pensions of persons in certain mental institutions.
8.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the whole of any amounts payable on foot of a pension to a person while the person is detained in a district or auxiliary mental hospital within the meaning of the Mental Treatment Act, 1945, or while he is detained in any place as a chargeable patient, within the meaning of that Act, or as a criminal lunatic, shall be appropriated towards the cost of maintenance of the person in the place where he is being detained.
(2) Where the pension of a person is appropriated under subsection (1) of this section, the person in charge, within the meaning of the aforesaid Act, of the place where the person is detained, or, if the person is detained in the Dundrum Central Criminal Lunatic Asylum, within the meaning of the aforesaid Act, the Resident Physician and Governor thereof may, in his absolute discretion, pay to the person for his own use such portion (not exceeding ten shillings per week) of the pension as he considers proper in the particular circumstances, if, in his opinion, the person is capable of making proper use of the portion so paid.
Parts of increase of certain pensions not to be reckoned as means for the purposes of the Acts.
9.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the rules in the Seventh Schedule to the Act of 1952, where—
(a) a pension is in course of payment to a person or to the spouse of the person or to both of them,
(b) a pension or allowance provided by or under statute (other than the Acts) or payable out of moneys administered by another government (in this section referred to as the statutory pension) is in course of payment to the person or the spouse of the person or to both of them, and
(c) an increase of the statutory pension or pensions occurs on or after the 1st day of August, 1960,
then, in calculating the means of the person or of the spouse of the person or of both of them for the purposes of the Acts, any of the increase of the statutory pension or pensions which, if it were reckoned as means, would result in a reduction in the amount of the pension or combined pensions, as the case may be, which would be greater than the amount of the increase, shall not be reckoned as means.
Amendment of section 13 of Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933.
10.—Section 13 of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933, is hereby amended by the insertion in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) after subparagraph (vii) (inserted by the Act of 1952) of the following subparagraphs:
“(viii) any income arising from a bonus under a scheme administered by the Minister for the Gaeltacht for the making of special grants to parents or guardians resident in the Gaeltacht or Breac-Ghaeltacht of children attending primary schools,
(ix) an amount of an allowance, dependant's allowance, disability pension or wound pension under the Army Pensions Acts, 1923 to 1960, or pension under the Military Service Pensions Acts, 1924 to 1960, or pension under the Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Acts, 1936 to 1960, or of a combination of such allowances and such pensions except so far as such amount exceeds £80 per year.”
Restriction of section 19 of Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933.
11.—Paragraph (a) of section 19 of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933, shall not apply in relation to the payment of unemployment assistance to a person who ceased, on the last weekday before the day in respect of which his application for unemployment assistance is made, to be entitled to unemployment benefit—
(a) by reason of having, by virtue of subsection (2) of section 16 of the Act of 1952, exhausted his title to such benefit, or
(b) if the person is over sixty-five years of age, by reason of having failed to satisfy the contribution condition set out in subparagraph (b) of paragraph 1 of the Fourth Schedule to the Act of 1952.
Amendment of section 5 of Unemployment Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1940.
12.—Section 5 of the Unemployment Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1940, is hereby amended by the insertion after subsection (2) of the following subsection:
“(3) Where the Commissioner of Valuation is satisfied that any certificate furnished by him, whether before or after the commencement of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1960, under this section or amended by him under this subsection is erroneous, by reason of a mistake in relation to any matter of law or fact to which regard was had by the Commissioner in the drawing up of the certificate, or in the light of any matter of fact which has come to his notice since the furnishing of the certificate, the Commissioner may amend the certificate for the purpose of correcting the error therein and subsection (2) of this section shall have effect in relation to a certificate amended under this subsection as if the references therein to a certificate were references to a certificate amended under this subsection.”
Amendment of Seventh Schedule to Act of 1952.
13.—The Seventh Schedule to the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by—
(a) the insertion in subparagraph (f) of paragraph (II) of rule 1 after “dependants” of “and any income arising by way of payments on foot of a maintenance allowance under section 50 of the Health Act, 1953, to the person”,
(b) the insertion after “1924 to 1949”, in subparagraph (g) of the said paragraph (II) of the said rule 1 of “or pension under the Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Acts, 1936 to 1960”, and
(c) the insertion after subparagraph (i) in the said paragraph (II) of the following paragraph:
“(j) in the case of a widow who is not a blind person and who has a qualified child or qualified children who normally resides or reside with her, all earnings derived by her from employment which is an employment specified in the First Schedule to this Act except and in so far as the annual amount of such earnings is calculated to exceed £39 for each such child,”.
Amendment of First Schedule to Act of 1952.
14.—Part I of the First Schedule to the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by—
(a) the insertion after “Government” in both subparagraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph 3 of “or the civil service of the State”, and
(b) the insertion after paragraph 8 (inserted by the Social Welfare (Insurance Inclusions and Exclusions) Regulations, 1952) of the following paragraph:
“9. Employment as a trainee midwife, student midwife, pupil midwife, probationary midwife, trainee nurse, student nurse, pupil nurse, or probationary nurse. In this paragraph ‘nurse’ includes a nursery or children's nurse,”
Amendment of Fourth Schedule to Act of 1952.
15.—The Fourth Schedule to the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by the insertion in clause (i) of subparagraph (b) of paragraph 3 of “in respect of the period beginning with the claimant's entry into insurance and ending immediately” after “claimant”.
Notification of increase of means of persons claiming or receiving pensions.
16.—(1) Where—
(a) a person is in receipt of a pension or has made a claim for a pension which has not been finally determined, and
(b) (i) the income in cash of the person, or
(ii) the amount of property belonging to or personally used or enjoyed by the person,
has increased since the date of the latest investigation thereof by a social welfare officer or, if no such investigation has taken place, since the date of the making of the claim aforesaid, the person shall, before the expiration of the later of the following periods, that is to say:
(I) the period of three months beginning on the commencement of this Act,
(II) the period of three months after the end of the month in which the increase aforesaid occurred,
give, or cause to be given, to a social welfare officer notification of the increase.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section or, in case he is dead, his personal representative, shall, unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Minister that the person was not aware of the increase to which the contravention related, and notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (3) of section 6 of the Act of 1911, be liable to pay to the Minister on demand—
(a) if, by reason of such contravention, the person was in receipt of a pension at a time when he was not entitled to receive it, the sums paid to him on foot of the pension during that time, and
(b) if, by reason of such contravention, the person was in receipt of a pension of an amount which was in excess of the amount which he was entitled to receive, such parts of the sums paid to him on foot of the pension as were in excess of the amounts which he was entitled to receive.
(3) Any sum payable by a person to the Minister under this section shall be a debt due by the person to the Minister.
Furnishing of information to social welfare officers by persons in receipt of pensions.
17.—(1) A person who is in receipt of a pension shall, at the request of a social welfare officer made in the course of an investigation of the means of the person, and within such period (not being less than thirty days) as may be specified in the request—
(a) furnish to the officer such information, books and documents which are in the power, possession or procurement of the person as he may reasonably require and permit him to take extracts from the books and documents and furnish to him such information as he may reasonably require in relation to such extracts, and
(b) authorise the officer to inspect any entries relating to the affairs of the person in the books of any bank (including any savings bank) and to take copies of such entries and furnish to the officer such information which is within the power, possession or procurement of the person as he may reasonably require in relation to such entries.
(2) Where a person who is in receipt of a pension fails to comply with a request under subsection (1) of this section, the Minister, or an officer of the Minister duly authorised in that behalf by the Minister, shall suspend payment of the pension, and
(a) such suspension shall continue until such time (if any) as the request is complied with or the Minister becomes satisfied—
(i) that none of the information, books or documents to which the request referred are in the power, possession or procurement of the person,
(ii) that none of the said books or documents have been disposed of by the person since the making of the request for the purpose of concealing information in relation to his means, and
(iii) that, if the authority referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section was requested, such authority has been given,
(b) the person shall not be entitled at any time to any payment on foot of the pension in respect of the period of suspension thereof, other than, in a case where payment of the pension is resumed under paragraph (c) of this subsection, such payment (if any) as may be made to him under that paragraph, and
(c) at such time (if any) as the request is complied with or the Minister becomes satisfied as aforesaid, and if the person is then entitled, having regard to his means, to receive the pension, payment thereof, at the rate then appropriate, having regard to his means, shall be resumed, and there shall be paid to the person such sum (if any) in respect of the period of suspension of the pension as the Minister considers proper in the circumstances.
Furnishing of information to social welfare officers by personal representatives of persons who were in receipt of pensions.
18.—(1) A personal representative of a person who dies after the commencement of this Act and who at any time was in receipt of a pension shall, at the request of a social welfare officer made for the purposes of an inquiry and report in relation to the pension, and within such period (not being less than thirty days) as may be specified in the request—
(a) furnish to the officer such information, books and documents relating to the affairs of the person which are in the power, possession or procurement of the personal representative as he may reasonably require and permit the officer to take extracts from the books and documents and furnish to him such information as he may reasonably require in relation to such extracts, and
(b) authorise the officer to inspect any entries relating to the affairs of the person in the books of any bank (including any savings bank) and to take copies of such entries and furnish to the officer such information which is within the power, possession or procurement of the personal representative as he may reasonably require in relation to such entries.
(2) A person who fails to comply with a request under subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
Provisions in aid of recovery of overpayments of pension from estates of deceased persons.
19.—(1) The personal representative of a person who dies after the commencement of this Act and who was at any time in receipt of a pension shall, before distributing the assets of the person inform the Minister by notice in writing delivered to the Minister not less than three months before the distribution commences, of his intention to distribute the assets.
(2) A personal representative who contravenes subsection (1) of this section and who distributes the assets of the person whose estate he represents without payment of any sum which is due to the Minister in respect of—
(a) payments of pension to the person at a time when the person was not entitled to receive the pension, or
(b) payments of pension to the person of amounts in excess of the amounts which the person was entitled to receive,
shall be personally liable to repay to the Minister an amount equal to the amount (if any) which the Minister would have received if, in the administration of the estate of the person, the sum aforesaid had been duly taken into account and repaid to the Minister to the extent (if any) appropriate, having regard to the assets of the person, and such amount shall be a debt due by the personal representative to the Minister.
General provisions as to prosecutions under the Acts.
20.—(1) Proceedings for an offence under the Acts (including this Act) or under regulations made under the Acts shall not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Minister or by an officer authorised in that behalf by special or general directions of the Minister.
(2) A prosecution for an offence under the Acts (including this Act) or under regulations made under the Acts may be brought at the suit of the Minister.
(3) Notwithstanding any provision in any Act specifying the period within which summary proceedings may be commenced, proceedings in respect of an offence under the Acts (including this Act) or under regulations made under the Acts may be commenced at any time within the period of three months from the date on which evidence, sufficient in the opinion of the Minister to justify a prosecution for the offence, comes to his knowledge, or within the period of twelve months after the commission of the offence, whichever period last expires.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) of this section, a certificate, sealed with the official seal of the Minister, as to the date on which such evidence as aforesaid came to his knowledge shall be conclusive evidence thereof.
(5) This section shall have effect as respects proceedings in relation to offences committed after the commencement of this Act.
Presumption of due receipt of certain pensions.
21.—(1) Where, in any civil proceedings in any Court, it is shown to the satisfaction of the Court that pursuant to a claim of or on behalf of a person a pension was allowed or awarded or that the amount of a pension payable to or in respect of a person was varied and that the pension as so allowed or awarded or as so varied was at any time in course of payment to the person to whom the pension was payable, that person shall, in each case, be presumed, unless the contrary is shown, to have been in receipt of a pension of the amount so allowed or awarded or as so varied, as the case may be, from the date on which the pension of the amount so allowed or awarded or as so varied, as the case may be, became payable until the date, if any, on which the amount of the pension is varied or further varied, as the case may be, or the date on which the pension ceases to be payable, whether by reason of the death of the person or otherwise, whichever should first occur.
(2) In this section “pension” means a pension under the Acts or a pension under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, 1935 to 1959.
Amendment of section 9 of the Act of 1908.
22.—Section 9 of the Act of 1908 is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following subsection:
“(1) Every person who, after the commencement of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1960—
(a) for the purpose of obtaining or continuing a pension, either for himself or for any other person, or for the purpose of obtaining or continuing a pension, either for himself or for any other person, which is of an amount in excess of the amount appropriate to the case, knowingly makes any statement or representation (whether written or oral) which is to his knowledge false or misleading in any material respect, or knowingly conceals any fact which is to his knowledge material, or
(b) knowingly obtains payment of, or continues to receive, a pension which he is not entitled to receive or which is of an amount in excess of the amount which he is entitled to receive,
shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”
Recovery of overpayments of pension by civil proceedings.
23.—Any debt due to the State or the Minister under the Acts or under this Act in respect of payments of pensions to persons at times when they were not entitled to receive them or payments of pensions to persons of amounts in excess of the amounts which they were entitled to receive may, without prejudice to any other remedy, be recovered by the Minister as a simple contract debt in any Court of competent jurisdiction.
Social welfare officers.
24.—The following officers, that is to say:
(a) pension officers under the Acts,
(b) investigation officers under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, 1935 to 1959, and
(c) investigation officers under the Social Welfare (Children's Allowances) Acts, 1944 to 1957,
shall be known, and are referred to in this Act, as social welfare officers and references in any statute or instrument made under statute to any of those officers shall be construed as references to social welfare officers.
Repeals.
25.—Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) and subsection (3) of section 3 of the Act of 1908 and subsection (4) of section 7 of the Act of 1911 are hereby repealed.
Short title, commencement, construction and collective citation.
26.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1960.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on the 1st day of August, 1960.
(3) This Act, in so far as it amends and extends the Acts shall be construed as one therewith and shall be included in that collective citation and in so far as it amends and extends the Unemployment Assistance Acts, 1933 to 1959, shall be construed as one therewith and may be cited together therewith as the Unemployment Assistance Acts, 1933 to 1960, and in so far as it amends and extends the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, 1935 to 1959, shall be construed as one therewith and may be cited together therewith as the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, 1935 to 1960, and in so far as it amends and extends the Social Welfare Acts, 1952 to 1960, shall be construed as one therewith and shall be included in that collective citation.