Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act , 1968

1 Interpretation.

1.—In this Act—

“the Act of 1933” means the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933;

“the Act of 1935” means the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act, 1935;

“the Act of 1952” means the Social Welfare Act, 1952;

“the Act of 1960” means the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1960;

“the Act of 1964” means the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1964;

“the Act of 1966” means the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1966;

“the Act of 1967” means the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1967.

27 Increase of rates of old age pensions.

2.—(1) Section 77 of the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by—

(a) the substitution of “one hundred and ninety-five pounds” for “one hundred and sixty-nine pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1967) in each place where it occurs in subsection (2) (inserted by the Act of 1964),

(b) the substitution of “one hundred and eighty-two pounds” for “one hundred and fifty-six pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1967) in that subsection,

(c) the substitution of “five shillings” for “seven shillings and sixpence” in that subsection, and

(d) the substitution for the Table to that subsection (inserted by the Act of 1967) of the following Table:

“TABLE

Rate of pension

Means of claimant or pensioner	Weekly rates
Claimant or pensioner, no qualified child		Claimant or pensioner, one qualified child		Claimant or pensioner, two or more qualified children
(1)	(2)		(3)		(4)
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Where the yearly means of the claimant or pensioner as duly calculated—
are Nil	65	0	77	6	90	0	}	Plus, where there are more than two qualified children, seven shillings and sixpence for each qualified child in excess of two.
exceed Nil but do not exceed £26 5s. 0d.	60	0	72	6	85	0
exceed £26 5s. 0d. but do not exceed £52 10s. 0d.	55	0	67	6	80	0
exceed £52 10s. 0d. but do not exceed £65 10s. 0d.	50	0	62	6	75	0
exceed £65 10s. 0d. but do not exceed £78 10s. 0d.	45	0	57	6	70	0
exceed £78 10s. 0d. but do not exceed £104 15s. 0d.	40	0	52	6	65	0
exceed £104 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £117 15s. 0d.	35	0	47	6	60	0
exceed £117 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £130 15s. 0d.	30	0	42	6	55	0
exceed £130 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £143 15s. 0d.	25	0	37	6	50	0
exceed £143 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £156 15s. 0d.	20	0	32	6	45	0
exceed £156 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £169 15s. 0d.	15	0	27	6	40	0
exceed £169 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £182 15s. 0d.	10	0	22	6	35	0
exceed £182 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £195 15s. 0d.	5	0	17	6	30	0

”

(2) Section 8 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1924, is hereby amended by—

(a) the substitution in subsection (1) of “one hundred and ninety-five pounds” for “one hundred and sixty-nine pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1967),

and

(b) the substitution in subsection (1) of the following for paragraphs (ii) and (iii) (inserted by the Act of 1964):

“(ii) in case the person has one or more than one qualified child, the appropriate highest amount of means at which pension may be paid to that person under section 77 (2) (b) of the Social Welfare Act, 1952.”.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall come into operation on the 2nd day of August, 1968.

3 Increase of rates of unemployment assistance.

3.—(1) In the Act of 1933, for the Schedule thereto (inserted by the Act of 1967) 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	51s. 6d.	45s. 6d.
Person with an adult dependant	97s. 6d.	89s. 6d.
Person with an adult dependant and one child dependant	110s. 0d.	102s. 0d.
Person with an adult dependant and two or more child dependants	122s. 6d. plus, where there are more than two child dependants, 7/6d. for each child dependant in excess of two.	114s. 6d. plus, where there are more than two child dependants, 7/6d. for each child dependant in excess of two.
Person with one child dependant	67s. 0d.	61s. 0d.
Person with two or more child dependants	79s. 6d. plus, where there are more than two child dependants, 7/6d. for each child dependant in excess of two.	73s. 6d. plus, where there are more than two child dependants, 7/6d. for each child dependant in excess of two.

”

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the 31st day of July, 1968.

4 Increase of certain rates of unemployment benefit.

4.—(1) In the Table to section 5 (2) of the Act of 1967, for the rates set forth therein there are hereby substituted the rates set forth in the Table to this section.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the 1st day of August, 1968.

TABLE

Class of Person	Weekly Rate	Increase for adult dependant (where payable)	Increase for qualified child or for each of two qualified children (where payable)	Increase for each qualified child in excess of two (where payable)
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)
Person entitled to an increase in respect of a qualified child but not entitled to an increase in respect of an adult dependant	54s.6d.	—	12s.6d.	7s.6d.
Any other person	51s.6d.	46s.0d.	12s.6d.	7s.6d.

5 Increase of rates of widows' (non-contributory) pensions.

5.—(1) Section 20 (inserted by the Act of 1952) of the Act of 1935 is hereby amended—

(a) by the substitution for subsection (1) (b) (inserted by the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1962) of the following:

“(b) (i) where the yearly means of the widow as duly calculated do not exceed one hundred and eighty-two pounds and fifteen shillings, at the rate set forth in Table B to this subsection, and

(ii) where the yearly means of the widow as duly calculated exceed one hundred and eighty-two pounds and fifteen shillings, at the rate at which the pension would be payable if the yearly means of the widow as duly calculated exceeded one hundred and sixty-nine pounds and fifteen shillings but did not exceed one hundred and eighty-two pounds and fifteen shillings, less five shillings for each amount (if any) of thirteen pounds by which the said yearly means exceed one hundred and eighty-two pounds and fifteen shillings, any fraction of thirteen pounds being treated for this purpose as thirteen pounds; provided that if the rate calculated pursuant to this paragraph, at which, but for this provision, the pension would be payable is less than six shillings a week, the pension shall not be payable,”

and

(b) the substitution for Table B (inserted by the Act of 1967) of the following Table:

“TABLE B

Weekly Rates of Widows' (Non-Contributory) Pensions

Means of Widow	Widow, no qualified child		Widow, one qualified child		Widow, two qualified children
(1)	(2)		(3)		(4)
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Where the yearly means of the widow, as duly calculated:—
Are Nil	63	6	76	0	88	6	}	Plus, where there are more than two qualified children, seven shillings and sixpence for each qualified child in excess of two.
exceed Nil but do not exceed £26 5s. 0d.	58	6	71	0	83	6
exceed £26 5s. 0d. but do not exceed £52 10s. 0d.	53	6	66	0	78	6
exceed £52 10s. 0d. but do not exceed £65 10s. 0d.	48	6	61	0	73	6
exceed £65 10s. 0d. but do not exceed £78 10s. 0d.	43	6	56	0	68	6
exceed £78 10s. 0d. but do not exceed £104 15s. 0d.	38	6	51	0	63	6
exceed £104 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £117 15s. 0d.	33	6	46	0	58	6
exceed £117 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £130 15s. 0d.	28	6	41	0	53	6
exceed £130 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £143 15s. 0d.	23	6	36	0	48	6
exceed £143 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £156 15s. 0d.	18	6	31	0	43	6
exceed £156 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £169 15s. 0d.	13	6	26	0	38	6
exceed £169 15s. 0d. but do not exceed £182 15s. 0d.	8	6	21	0	33	6

”

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the 2nd day of August, 1968.

6 Increase of rates of orphans' (non-contributory) pensions.

6.—(1) In the Table to section 25 (inserted by section 106 of the Act of 1952) of the Act of 1935, for the rates (inserted by the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1965) set forth therein there are hereby substituted the rates set forth in the Table to this section.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the 2nd day of August, 1968.

TABLE

Weekly Rates of Orphans' (Non-contributory) Pensions

Means of orphan	Weekly rates
Where the yearly means of the orphan as duly calculated—	s.	d.
do not exceed £6 12s. 6d.	27	6
exceed £6 12s. 6d. but do not exceed £13 2s. 6d.	23	6
exceed £13 2s. 6d. but do not exceed £19 12s. 6d.	19	6
exceed £19 12s. 6d. but do not exceed £26 5s. 0d.	15	6
exceed £26 5s. 0d. but do not exceed £32 17s. 6d.	11	6
exceed £32 17s. 6d. but do not exceed £39 10s. 0d.	7	6
exceed £39 10s. 0d.	No pension

7 Amendment of section 6 of Act of 1952.

7.—(1) Section 6 (2) (inserted by the Act of (1960) of the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by—

(a) the substitution of “four shillings and sevenpence” for “four shillings and one penny” (inserted by the Act of 1967) in paragraph (a),

and

(b) the substitution of “nine shillings and fourpence” for “eight shillings and twopence” (inserted by the Act of 1967) in paragraph (b).

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the 6th day of January, 1969.

8 Amendment of section 12 of Act of 1952.

8.—Section 12 (1) of the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by the addition after subparagraph (e) of the following:

“or

(f) persons employed in voluntary hospitals to which grants are paid from the Hospitals Trust Fund in recoupment of revenue deficits, or

(g) persons employed by voluntary organisations which are providing district nursing services.”.

9 Amendment of section 26 of Act of 1952 (increase of benefit for adult dependants).

9.—(1) Section 26 of the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (3) (inserted by the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1963):

“(4) (a) The weekly rate of widow's (contributory) pension in the case of a widow who has attained pensionable age and of old age (contributory) pension shall be increased by the amount set out in column (6) of Part I of the Third Schedule to this Act for any period during which—

(i) the beneficiary is so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention,

(ii) there is residing with the beneficiary for the purpose of providing that care and attention a prescribed female relative of the beneficiary, and

(iii) the beneficiary, but for the residence of the prescribed female relative, would be living either alone or with another adult (or other adults) who is (or all of whom are) unable to provide that care and attention, the residence in the household of a qualified child or qualified children being disregarded for the purpose of this subparagraph.

(b) Not more than one increase of pension shall be payable under this subsection or under section 77 of the Act of 1952 (as amended by section 10 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968) in respect of any prescribed female relative.

(c) An increase of pension under this subsection shall not be payable in respect of a prescribed female relative except where—

(i) she left insurable employment for the purpose of residing with the beneficiary to provide full-time care and attention, and

(ii) she had not less than 156 employment contributions paid in respect of that employment since the beginning of the period of the last five complete contribution years preceding the date on which she left that employment.”.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the 3rd day of January, 1969.

10 Amendment of section 77 of Act of 1952 (increased rates of certain old age pensions).

10.—(1) Section 77 of the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by the addition thereto of the following subsection:

“(3) (a) The weekly rate of old age pension shall be increased by forty-five shillings for any period during which—

(i) the pensioner is so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention,

(ii) there is residing with the pensioner for the purpose of providing that care and attention a prescribed female relative of the pensioner, and

(iii) the pensioner, but for the residence of the prescribed female relative, would be living either alone or with another adult (or other adults) who is (or all of whom are) unable to provide that care and attention, the residence in the household of a qualified child or qualified children being disregarded for the purpose of this subparagraph.

(b) Not more than one increase of pension shall be payable under this subsection or under section 26 (4) of the Act of 1952 (inserted by section 9 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968) in respect of any prescribed female relative.

(c) An application for an increase of pension under this subsection shall be decided by a deciding officer appointed by the Minister under section 41 of this Act.

(d) An increase of pension under this subsection shall not be payable in respect of a prescribed female relative except where—

(i) she left insurable employment for the purpose of residing with the pensioner to provide full-time care and attention, and

(ii) she had not less than 156 employment contributions paid in respect of that employment since the beginning of the period of the last five complete contribution years preceding the date on which she left that employment.”.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the 3rd day of January, 1969.

11 Amendment of Second Schedule to Act of 1952.

11.—(1) (a) The Second Schedule to the Act of 1952 is hereby amended by—

(i) the substitution of “10s. 8d.” for “9s. 0d.” (inserted by the Act of 1967) and “9s. 7d.” for “7s. 11d.” (inserted by the Act of 1967) in paragraph 1 (a),

(ii) the substitution of “10s. 8d.” for “9s. 0d.” (inserted by the Act of 1967) and “10s. 4d.” for “8s. 8d.” (inserted by the Act of 1967) in paragraph 1 (b),

(iii) the substitution of “8s. 5d.” for “6s. 9d.” (inserted by the Act of 1967) in paragraphs 2 (a) and (b),

(iv) the substitution in paragraph 2 A (inserted by the Act of 1966) of “6s. 8d.” for “5s. 5d.” (inserted by the Act of 1967) in subparagraph (a) and “7s. 10d.” for “6s. 6d.” (inserted by the Act of 1967) in subparagraph (b),