Number 5 of 2001

SOCIAL WELFARE ACT, 2001

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART 1

Preliminary

PART 2

Increases.

PART 3

Improvements in Social Welfare Schemes.

PART 4

Miscellaneous Provisions.

PART 5

Alignment of Tax and Calendar Years.

PART 6

Amendments Relating to Introduction of Euro.

PART 7

Amendment of Health Contributions Act, 1979.

SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE B

SCHEDULE C

SCHEDULE D

SCHEDULE E

SCHEDULE F

Number 5 of 2001

SOCIAL WELFARE ACT, 2001

AN ACT TO AMEND AND EXTEND THE SOCIAL WELFARE ACTS AND SECTION 7A OF THE HEALTH CONTRIBUTIONS ACT, 1979. [23rd March, 2001]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

PART 1

Preliminary

Short title and construction.

1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Social Welfare Act, 2001 .

(2) The Social Welfare Acts and this Act (other than Part 7) shall be construed together as one.

Definitions.

2.—In this Act—

“Act of 1994” means the Social Welfare Act, 1994 ;

“Act of 1995” means the Social Welfare Act, 1995 ;

“Act of 1996” means the Social Welfare Act, 1996 ;

“Act of 1997” means the Social Welfare Act, 1997 ;

“Act of 1998” means the Social Welfare Act, 1998 ;

“Act of 1999” means the Social Welfare Act, 1999 ;

“Act of 2000” means the Social Welfare Act, 2000 ;

“No. 2 Act of 1993” means the Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1993 ;

“Principal Act” means the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993 .

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 to the extent that the instrument concerned is consistent with that provision as so amended.

PART 2

Increases

Social Insurance benefits (new rates).

4.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the substitution for Parts I to IV (inserted by section 4 of the Act of 2000) of the Second Schedule thereto of the Parts set out in Schedule A to this Act.

(2) This section comes into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to unemployment benefit, on 29 March 2001,

(b) in so far as it relates to disability benefit, health and safety benefit, injury benefit and disablement gratuity, on 2 April 2001,

(c) in so far as it relates to carer's benefit, retirement pension, invalidity pension and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(a) of the Act of 1996, on 5 April 2001, and

(d) in so far as it relates to disablement pension, death benefit under section 60, 61 or 62 of the Principal Act, old age (contributory) pension, widow's and widower's (contributory) pension and orphan's (contributory) allowance, on 6 April 2001.

Social assistance payments (new rates).

5.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the substitution for Parts I, II, IIA, IIB and IIC (inserted by section 5 of the Act of 2000) of the Fourth Schedule thereto of the Parts set out in Schedule B to this Act.

(2) This section comes into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to unemployment assistance, pre-retirement allowance and farm assist, on 28 March 2001,

(b) in so far as it relates to supplementary welfare allowance, on 2 April 2001,

(c) in so far as it relates to disability allowance, on 4 April 2001,

(d) in so far as it relates to one-parent family payment (other than where payable in respect of a widow or widower), carer's allowance and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(b) or (c) of the Act of 1996, on 5 April 2001, and

(e) 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 6 April 2001.

Child benefit (new rates).

6.—(1) The Fourth Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by the substitution for Part III (inserted by section 6 of the Act of 2000) of the following Part:

“PART III

Amounts of Child Benefit

”.

(2) This section comes into operation on 1 June 2001.

Family income supplement (new weekly rates).

7.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the substitution for section 198 (inserted by section 7(1) of the Act of 2000) of the following section:

(2) This section comes into operation on 5 April 2001.

Employment contributions (new rates of contributions and amendments to earnings ceilings).

8.—(1) Section 2(1) (as amended by section 30 of the Act of 1999) of the Principal Act is amended by the substitution for the definition of “qualifying contribution” of the following definition:

“‘qualifying contribution’ means the appropriate employment contribution or self-employment contribution which was paid or would have been paid but for section 10(1)(c) in respect of any insured person or the appropriate optional contribution which was paid or would have been paid but for section 24B(1)(b);”.

(2) Section 10 of the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in subsection (1)(b) (as amended by section 8(1)(b) of the Act of 2000) of “4 per cent.” for “4.5 per cent.”,

(b) the substitution in subsection (1)(c) (inserted by section 8(1)(c) of the Act of 2000) of “£28,250” for “£26,500”,

(c) the substitution in subsection (1)(d) (as amended by section 8(1)(d) of the Act of 2000) for “Subject to paragraphs (e) and (f), subsection” of “Subject to subsection”,

(d) the deletion of subsections (1)(e) and (1)(f), and

(e) the substitution in subsection (2)(a) for “paragraphs (c) and (e)” of “paragraph (c)”.

(3) The following section is substituted for section 13 of the Principal Act:

“13.—Regulations may provide for the determination of liability for the payment of employment contributions in the case of a person who works under the general control or management of a person who is not his or her immediate employer.”.

(4) This section comes into operation on 6 April 2001.

Self-employment contributions (new rates of contributions and abolition of income ceiling).

9.—(1) Section 18(1) of the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution for paragraph (a) (as amended by section 9 of the Act of 1996) of the following paragraph:

“(a) Subject to paragraph (b) and (h), where in any contribution year a self-employed contributor has reckonable income there shall be payable by him or her a self-employment contribution which shall be of an amount equal to 3 per cent. of the reckonable income or the amount of £200 whichever is the greater.”,

(b) the substitution for paragraph (c) (as amended by section 9 of the Act of 1996) of the following paragraph:

“(c) Subject to paragraph (h), where in any contribution year a payment is made to a self-employed contributor in respect of reckonable emoluments of that self-employed contributor, there shall be payable by him or her a self-employment contribution which shall be of an amount equal to 3 per cent. of the reckonable emoluments or the amount of £200, whichever is the greater.”,

(c) the deletion of paragraph (d),

(d) the deletion of paragraph (f), and

(e) the substitution in paragraph (h) (as amended by section 9 of the Act of 1996) of “£200” for “£215”.

(2) Section 19 of the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in subsection (1) for “Subject to subsection (2), regulations” of “Regulations”, and

(b) the substitution for subsections (2), (3) and (4) of the following subsections:

“(2) The Minister may by regulations specify circumstances in which contributions payable by a self-employed contributor may be treated as paid.

(3) For the purposes of this section ‘contributions’ means employment contributions payable under section 10 and self-employment contributions payable under section 18.”.

(3) Section 4 of the Principal Act is amended by the deletion in subsection (5) (as amended by section 17 of the Act of 2000) of “18(1)(f),”.

(4) This section comes into operation on 6 April 2001.

Optional contributions (new rates of contributions).

10.—(1) Section 24B(1)(b) of the Principal Act (inserted by section 4 of the No. 2 Act of 1993) is amended by the substitution for “the sum specified in section 18(1)(d).” of “£28,250.”.

(2) This section comes into operation on 6 April 2001.

Voluntary contributions (new rates and amounts of contributions).

11.—(1) Section 22(1) of the Principal Act is amended by the substitution for paragraphs (a) and (b) of the following paragraphs:

“(a) Subject to paragraph (c), a contribution (in this Act referred to as a ‘voluntary contribution’), in the case of a person who becomes a voluntary contributor by virtue of paragraph (a) of section 21(1) and who is under pensionable age, shall be payable in each contribution year, at such time or times and in such manner as the Minister shall prescribe, at a percentage rate, as set out in paragraph (b), of the amount of the reckonable income (if any) of the contributor in the preceding contribution year or in an amount (‘minimum annual amount’), as set out in paragraph (b), whichever is the greater.

(b) (i) In the case of a voluntary contributor who, immediately before ceasing to be an employed contributor, was employed in employment in respect of which the employment contributions payable are not reckonable for the purposes of old age (contributory) pension, the percentage rate shall be 2.6 per cent. and the minimum annual amount shall be £100.

(ii) In the case of a voluntary contributor who, immediately before ceasing to be an employed contributor, was employed in employment in respect of which the employment contributions payable are reckonable for the purposes of old age (contributory) pension, the percentage rate shall be 6.6 per cent. and the minimum annual amount shall be £250.

(iii) In the case of a person to whom subsection (2) applies and who, by virtue of compliance with that subsection, continues to be a voluntary contributor, the percentage rate shall be 4 per cent. and the minimum annual amount shall be £150.”.

(2) Section 23(1) of the Principal Act (as amended by section 11 of the Act of 1996) is amended by the substitution for “£215” of “£200”.

(3) This section comes into operation on 6 April 2001.

PART 3

Improvement in Social Welfare Schemes

Maternity and adoptive benefits — increase in duration.

12.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in paragraph (a) of section 37(4) (inserted by section 10 of the Act of 1997) for “fourteenth” of “twenty-second”,

(b) in section 37(5) (inserted by section 10 of the Act of 1997)—

(i) the substitution in paragraph (b) for “14” of “18”, and

(ii) the substitution in paragraph (c) for subparagraph (ii) of the following subparagraph:

“(ii) is in insurable self-employment, for a period commencing on the day after the day on which the death of the mother occurs—

(A) where the mother dies before the expiry of the fourteenth week following the week of her confinement, to the end of the fourteenth week following the week of her confinement, or

(B) where the mother dies after the expiry of the fourteenth week but before the expiry of the twenty-second week following the week of her confinement, to the end of the twenty-second week following the week of her confinement:”,

and

(c) the substitution in paragraph (b) of section 41G(4) (as amended by section 11 of the Act of 1997) for “10” in each place where it occurs of “14”.

(2) This section shall have effect in respect of persons whose entitlement to maternity or adoptive benefit commences on or after the commencement of this section.

(3) This section comes 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.

(4) An order under subsection (3) may, if the order so provides, have retrospective effect.

Assessment of means — improvements.

13.—(1) Part I of the Third Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) in Rule 1(2) (as amended by section 26 of the Act of 1997)—

(i) the insertion after subparagraph (h) of the following subparagraph:

“(hh) in the case of unemployment assistance, any moneys, subject to such limit as may be prescribed, received by way of repayment of expenses necessarily incurred in relation to travel and meals while undergoing a course of education, training or development approved by the Minister,”,

(ii) the insertion after subparagraph (k) of the following subparagraph:

“(kk) payments in respect of not more than two persons boarded out under section 10 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 , received from a health board or a person boarded out, in so far as the aggregate amount of payment received in respect of each person boarded out does not exceed an amount equivalent to the rate set out in column (2) at reference 4 of Part I of the Fourth Schedule,”,

and

(iii) the substitution for subparagraph (m) of the following subparagraph:

“(m) in such cases as may be prescribed, any moneys received by way of a maintenance grant under—

(i) a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, or

(ii) a scheme administered under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Science and known as the—

(I) Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post-Leaving Certificate Courses,

(II) Vocational Education Committees Scholarship Scheme, or

(III) Third-Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees,”,

and

(b) the insertion after Rule 2 of the following Rule:

“2A.—(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Schedule, for the purposes of disability allowance, the gross proceeds derived from the sale of the principal residence of the claimant or beneficiary or, in the case of a married couple who are living together, the spouse of the claimant or beneficiary shall not, subject—

(a) to such limit,

(b) to such conditions,

(c) in such circumstances, and

(d) for such periods,

as shall be prescribed, be taken into account in calculating the means of the claimant or beneficiary.

(2) In this Rule ‘gross proceeds derived from the sale of the principal residence’ means—

(a) the agreed sale price of the residence, or

(b) where the claimant or beneficiary purchases alternative accommodation, the difference between the agreed sale price of the former residence and the agreed purchase price of the replacement residence.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any sums arising from the investment or profitable use of the gross proceeds derived from the sale of the principal residence.”.

(2) Part II of the Third Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) in Rule 1(4) (as amended by section 26 of the Act of 1997)—

(i) the substitution in subparagraph (f) for clauses (ii) and (iii) of the following clauses:

“(ii) payments by a health board in respect of a child who is boarded out,

(iii) payments in respect of not more than two persons boarded out under section 10 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 , received from a health board or a person boarded out, in so far as the aggregate amount of payment received in respect of each person boarded out does not exceed an amount equivalent to the rate set out in column (2) at reference 4 of Part I of the Fourth Schedule, or

(iv) a mobility allowance payable under section 61 of the Health Act, 1970 , to the person,”,

(ii) the insertion after subparagraph (m) of the following subparagraph:

“(mm) in the case of one-parent family payment, any moneys, subject to such limit as may be prescribed, received by way of repayment of expenses necessarily incurred in relation to travel and meals while undergoing a course of education, training or development approved by the Minister,”,

and

(iii) the substitution for subparagraph (n) of the following subparagraph:

“(n) in the case of blind pension or one-parent family payment, any moneys received by way of a maintenance grant under—

(i) a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, or

(ii) a scheme administered under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Science and known as the—

(I) Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post-Leaving Certificate Courses,

(II) Vocational Education Committees Scholarship Scheme, or

(III) Third-Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees,”,

and

(b) the substitution in Rule 2(1) for “old age (non-contributory) pension” of “old age (non-contributory) pension or blind pension”.

(3) Rule 1(1) (as amended by section 26 of the Act of 1997) of Part III of the Third Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the insertion after subparagraph (b) of the following subparagraph:

“(bb) payments in respect of not more than two persons boarded out under section 10 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 , received from a health board or a person boarded out, in so far as the aggregate amount of payment received in respect of each person boarded out does not exceed an amount equivalent to the rate set out in column (2) at reference 4 of Part I of the Fourth Schedule,”,

and

(b) the substitution for subparagraph (n) of the following subparagraph:

“(n) in such cases as may be prescribed, any moneys received by way of a maintenance grant under—

(i) a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, or

(ii) a scheme administered under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Science and known as the—

(I) Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post-Leaving Certificate Courses,

(II) Vocational Education Committees Scholarship Scheme, or

(III) Third-Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees,”.

(4) Rule 1(3) of Part IV of the Third Schedule (as inserted by section 16 of the Act of 1999) to the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the insertion after subparagraph (j) of the following subparagraph:

“(jj) payments in respect of not more than two persons boarded out under section 10 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 , received from a health board or a person boarded out, in so far as the aggregate amount of payment received in respect of each person boarded out does not exceed an amount equivalent to the rate set out in column (2) at reference 4 of Part I of the Fourth Schedule,”,

and

(b) the substitution for subparagraph (l) of the following subparagraph:

“(l) in such cases as may be prescribed, any moneys received by way of a maintenance grant under—

(i) a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, or

(ii) a scheme administered under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Science and known as the—

(I) Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post-Leaving Certificate Courses,

(II) Vocational Education Committees Scholarship Scheme, or

(III) Third-Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees,”.

(5) This section, other than subsections (1)(a)(iii), (2)(a)(iii), (3)(b) and (4)(b) comes into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to unemployment assistance, pre-retirement allowance and farm assist, on 28 March 2001,

(b) in so far as it relates to supplementary welfare allowance, on 2 April 2001,

(c) in so far as it relates to disability allowance, on 4 April 2001,

(d) in so far as it relates to one-parent family payment (other than where payable in respect of a widow or widower), carer's allowance and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(b) or (c) of the Act of 1996, on 5 April 2001, and

(e) 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 6 April 2001.

(6) Subsections (1)(a)(iii), (2)(a)(iii), (3)(b) and (4)(b) of this section 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.

Respite care grant — increase.

14.—The Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution for section 82F (inserted by section 10 of the Act of 2000) of the following section:

and

(b) the substitution for section 168A (as amended by section 22 of the Act of 2000) of the following section:

Island allowance.

15.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the insertion in section 2(1) (as amended by section 8 of this Act) after the definition of “insured person” of the following definition:

“‘island’ means any island, lying off the cost of the State, that is prescribed;”,

(b) the insertion in section 60 (as amended by section 14 of the Act of 1997) after subsection (5) of the following subsection:

“(6) The weekly rate of pension under subsection (2) shall be increased by the amount set out in column (8) of Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary has attained pensionable age and is ordinarily resident on an island.”,

(c) the substitution for subsection (2) (as amended by section 32 of the Act of 1994) of section 61 of the following subsection:

“(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the death benefit shall be a pension at the weekly rate set out in column (2) of Part I of the Second Schedule, increased, in the case of a person who has attained pensionable age—

(a) by the amount set out in column (6) of that Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary is living alone, and

(b) by the amount set out in column (8) of that Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary is ordinarily resident on an island.”,

(d) the insertion in section 87 after subsection (5) of the following subsection:

“(6) The weekly rate of old age (contributory) pension shall be increased by the amount set out in column (8) of Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary is ordinarily resident on an island.”,

(e) in subsection (4) of section 87A (inserted by section 16 of the Act of 2000)—

(i) the deletion in paragraph (c) of “and”, and

(ii) the substitution for paragraph (d) of the following paragraphs:

“(d) the amount set out in column (7) at reference 3 of Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary has attained the age of 80 years, and

(e) the amount set out in column (8) at reference 3 of Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary is ordinarily resident on an island.”,

(f) the insertion in section 91 after subsection (5) of the following subsection:

“(6) The weekly rate of retirement pension shall be increased by the amount set out in column (8) of Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary has attained pensionable age and is ordinarily resident on an island.”,

(g) the insertion in section 99 after subsection (5) (as amended by section 32 of the Act of 1994) of the following subsection:

“(6) The weekly rate of invalidity pension shall be increased by the amount set out in column (8) of Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary has attained pensionable age and is ordinarily resident on an island.”,

(h) the insertion in section 104 after subsection (3) (as amended by section 27 of the Act of 1996) of the following subsection:

“(4) The weekly rate of pension shall be increased by the amount set out in column (8) of Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary has attained pensionable age and is ordinarily resident on an island,”,

(i) in section 137 (as amended by section 17 of the Act of 1999)—

(i) the deletion in paragraph (b) of “and”, and

(ii) the substitution for paragraph (c) of the following paragraphs:

“(c) by the amount set out in column (7) of Part I of the Fourth Schedule where the beneficiary has attained the age of 80 years, and

(d) by the amount set out in column (8) of Part I of the Fourth Schedule where the beneficiary is ordinarily resident on an island,”,

(j) in section 145 (inserted by section 19 of the Act of 1997)—

(i) the deletion in paragraph (a) of “and”, and

(ii) the substitution for paragraph (b) of the following paragraphs:

“(b) by the amount set out in column (7) of Part I of the Fourth Schedule where the beneficiary has attained the age of 80 years, and

(c) by the amount set out in column (8) of Part I of the Fourth Schedule where the beneficiary has attained pensionable age and is ordinarily resident on an island,”,

(k) the insertion in section 159 (inserted by section 17 of the Act of 1996) after subsection (3) of the following subsection:

“(4) The weekly rate of one-parent family payment shall be increased by the amount set out in column (8) of Part I of the Fourth Schedule where the beneficiary has attained pensionable age and is ordinarily resident on an island.”,

and

(l) the substitution for section 165(1) (as amended by section 23 of the Act of 1997) of the following subsection:

“(1) Subject to this Act, the rate (in this Chapter referred to as ‘the scheduled rate’) of carer's allowance shall be—

(a) in the case of a person who is a carer of more than one relevant person, the weekly rate set out in column (2) at reference 8(a) in Part I of the Fourth Schedule, and

(b) in any other case, the weekly rate set out in column (2) at reference 8(b) in Part I of the Fourth Schedule,

increased by—

(i) the appropriate amount set out in column (4) of that Part opposite that reference in respect of each qualified child who normally resides with the beneficiary, and

(ii) the amount set out in column (8) of that Part opposite that reference where the beneficiary has attained pensionable age and is ordinarily resident on an island.”.

(2) This section comes into operation on—

(a) in so far as it relates to retirement pension, invalidity pension, a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(a), (b) or (c) of the Act of 1996, one-parent family payment (other than where payable in respect of a widow or widower) and carer's allowance on 5 April 2001, and

(b) in so far as it relates to death benefit under section 60, 61 or 62 of the Principal Act, old age (contributory) pension, widow's and widower's (contributory) pension, old age (non-contributory) pension, blind pension, widow's and widower's (non-contributory) pension and one-parent family payment payable in respect of a widow or widower on 6 April 2001.

Disability allowance — removal of couple limitation.

16.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the deletion of section 191E (inserted by section 32(1)(c) of the Act of 1999), and

(b) the substitution in subsection (2) of section 191P (inserted by section 15 of the Act of 1999) for “pre-retirement allowance, disability allowance or farm assist” in each place where those words occur of “pre-retirement allowance or farm assist”.

(2) This section comes into operation on 4 April 2001.

Living alone allowance — extension of scheme.

17.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in section 56 for subsection (1) (as amended by section 20 of the Act of 1994) of the following subsection:

“(1) Subject to this Act, the weekly rate of disablement pension shall be increased by the amount set out in column (2) of Part IV of the Second Schedule if, as a result of the relevant loss of faculty, the beneficiary is incapable of work and likely to remain permanently so incapable and by the amount set out in column (3) of Part IV of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary is living alone.”,

(b) the substitution for subsection (4) of section 99 (as amended by section 15 of this Act) of the following subsection:

“(4) The weekly rate of invalidity pension shall be increased by the amount set out in column (6) of Part I of the Second Schedule where the beneficiary is living alone.”,

(c) the substitution in section 137 (as amended by section 15 of this Act) for paragraph (b) of the following paragraph:

“(b) by the amount set out in column (6) of Part I of the Fourth Schedule where the beneficiary is living alone,”,

(d) in section 191C(1) (as amended by section 28 of the Act of 1997)—

(i) the deletion in paragraph (a) of “and”, and

(ii) the substitution for paragraph (b) of the following paragraphs:

“(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, and

(c) the amount set out in column (6) of that Part where the claimant or beneficiary is living alone.”.

(2) This section comes into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to disability allowance, on 4 April 2001,

(b) in so far as it relates to invalidity pension, on 5 April 2001, and

(c) in so far as it relates to disablement pension and blind pension, on 6 April 2001.

Carer's benefit— payment after death.

18.—Section 210 of the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in the definition of “relevant person” in subsection (1) (as amended by section 13 of the Act of 1999) for “section 163(1)” of “section 82A(1) and 163(1)”,

(b) the substitution in paragraph (a) (as amended by section 17 of the Act of 1999) of subsection (2) for “or a carer's allowance” of “, a carer's benefit or a carer's allowance”.

Constant attendance allowance — improvements.

19.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the substitution for section 57 (as amended by section 39 of the Act of 1996) of the following section:

(2) This section comes into operation on 6 April 2001.

Improvement in qualifying conditions.

20.—The Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in section 32(1) (as amended by section 17 of the Act of 1997) for paragraph (b) of the following paragraph:

“(b) (i) that the claimant has qualifying contributions or credited contributions in respect of not less than 39 contribution weeks, of which at least 13 must be qualifying contributions, in the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year which includes the day for which the benefit is claimed, or

(ii) that the claimant has qualifying contributions in respect of not less than 26 contribution weeks in each of the last two complete contribution years before the beginning of the benefit year which includes the day for which the benefit is claimed,

and”,

(b) the substitution in subparagraph (a)(i) of section 38 (inserted by section 10 of the Act of 1997) for clause (B) of the following clause:

“(B) (I) that the claimant has qualifying contributions or credited contributions in respect of not less than 39 contribution weeks in the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year in which the relevant day occurs or in a subsequent complete contribution year before the relevant day, or

(II) that the claimant has qualifying contributions in respect of not less than 26 contribution weeks in each of the last two complete contribution years before the beginning of the benefit year in which the relevant day occurs,

or”,

(c) the substitution in subparagraph (a)(ii) of section 41B(1) (inserted by Article 6 of the European Communities (Social Welfare) Regulations, 1995 ( S.I. No. 25 of 1995 )) for clause (B) of the following clause:

“(B) (I) that the claimant has qualifying contributions or credited contributions in respect of not less than 39 contribution weeks in the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year which includes the first day for which health and safety benefit is claimed, or

(II) that the claimant has qualifying contributions in respect of not less than 26 contribution weeks in each of the last two complete contribution years before the beginning of the benefit year which includes the first day for which health and safety benefit is claimed,

and”,

(d) the substitution in subparagraph (a)(i) of section 41H(1) (inserted by section 11 of the Act of 1997) for clause (B) of the following clause:

“(B) (I) that the claimant has qualifying contributions or credited contributions in respect of not less than 39 contribution weeks in the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year in which the relevant day occurs or in a subsequent complete contribution year before the relevant day, or

(II) that the claimant has qualifying contributions in respect of not less than 26 contribution weeks in each of the last two complete contribution years before the beginning of the benefit year in which the relevant day occurs,

or”, and

(e) the substitution in section 43(1) (as amended by section 8 of the Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1993 ) for paragraph (b) of the following paragraph:

“(b) (i) that the claimant has qualifying contributions or credited contributions in respect of not less than 39 contribution weeks in the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year which includes the day for which the benefit is claimed, or

(ii) that the claimant has qualifying contributions in respect of not less than 26 contribution weeks in each of the last two complete contribution years before the beginning of the benefit year which includes the day for which the benefit is claimed,

and”.

PART 4

Miscellaneous Provisions

One-parent family payment — transitional arrangements and assessment of maintenance payments.

21.—(1) Section 158 (as amended by section 31 of the Act of 1999) of the Principal Act is amended by the substitution for subsection (4) of the following subsection:

“(4) Regulations may, subject to such conditions and in such circumstances and for such periods as may be prescribed, entitle to one-parent family payment a qualified parent who, having been in receipt of the said payment for a period of 52 consecutive weeks, ceases to be entitled thereto by virtue of having earnings in excess of the amount specified in subsection (3).”.

(2) The amendment effected by subsection (1) of this section shall not operate so as to disentitle any person who, at the commencement of this section, is entitled to or in receipt of a payment by virtue of regulations under section 158(4) of the Principal Act but this subsection shall, as respects that person, have effect only for the duration of that person's continuous entitlement to the said payment under the said section 158(4).

(3) Rule 1(4) (as amended by section 13 of this Act) of Part II of the Third Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by the substitution for subparagraph (s) (as amended by section 26 of the Act of 1997) of the following subparagraph:

“(s) for the purposes of one-parent family payment, moneys received by way of maintenance payments (including maintenance payments made to or in respect of a qualified child) in so far as they do not exceed the annual housing costs actually incurred by the qualified parent subject to such maximum amount as may be prescribed, together with one-half of any amount of maintenance payment in excess of the amount disregarded in respect of housing costs actually incurred (if any) and for this purpose—

‘housing costs’ means rent or repayment of a loan entered into solely for the purpose of defraying money employed in the purchase, repair or essential improvement of the residence in which the qualified parent is, for the time being, residing;

‘maintenance payments’ means any payment received under or pursuant to such maintenance arrangement as may be prescribed,”.

Recovery of payments from financial institutions.

22.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the insertion after section 280 of the following section:

(2) This section comes 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.

Pre-retirement allowance — change in withdrawal rate.

23.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in section 127 for subsection (3) (as amended by section 17 of the Act of 2000) of the following subsection:

“(3) In this Chapter ‘weekly means’ shall, subject to Rule 1(1) or 1(6A), as the case may be, of Part I of the Third Schedule, be the yearly means divided by 52; means shall be calculated in accordance with the Rules contained in Part I of the Third Schedule:

Provided that the amount so calculated shall be rounded up to the nearest £1 where it is a multiple of 50p but not also a multiple of £1 and shall be rounded to the nearest £1 where it is not a multiple of 50p or £1.”,

and

(b) the substitution for subsection (2) of section 128 (as amended by section 18 of the Act of 1998) of the following subsection:

“(2) Pre-retirement allowance shall be payable where—

(a) the weekly means of the claimant or beneficiary are less than £1, at the scheduled rate,

(b) such weekly means are equal to £1, at the scheduled rate reduced by £1, and

(c) such weekly means exceed £1, at the scheduled rate reduced by £1 for each amount (if any) of £1 by which those weekly means exceed £1:

Provided that, if the weekly means of the claimant or beneficiary are equal to or exceed the scheduled rate, no pre-retirement allowance shall be payable.”.

(2) In the case of a person who is entitled to or in receipt of a pre-retirement allowance on the commencement of this section, the amendments effected by this section shall not have the effect of reducing that person's rate of pre-retirement allowance below that which would be payable had the provisions of sections 127(3) and 128(2) of the Principal Act, in force immediately before that commencement, continued to apply in relation to that person.

(3) This section comes into operation on 28 March 2001.

Qualified adult — amendment to provisions.

24.—(1) Section 2(2)(a) of the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the insertion in subparagraph (v) after “1967,” of “or”, and

(b) the insertion after subparagraph (v) of the following subparagraphs:

“(vi) a spouse who is entitled to or in receipt of an allowance the rate of which is related to the rates of unemployment assistance payable under section 121 or unemployment benefit payable under section 44 or 45, in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science and known as the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, or

(vii) a spouse who is entitled to or in receipt of an allowance the rate of which is related to the rates of unemployment assistance payable under section 121 or unemployment benefit payable under section 44 or 45, in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister and known as:

(I) Back to Education Allowance, or

(II) Back to Work Allowance, or

(III) Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, or

(IV) Part-time Job Incentive,”.

(2) Section 137 of the Principal Act (as amended by section 17 of this Act) is amended by—

(a) the deletion of all the words from “Subject to section 138A” down to and including “in respect of more than one person,” and the substitution of the following:

“(1) Subject to subsection (2) and section 138A, the weekly rate of old age (non-contributory) pension payable in accordance with section 136 shall be increased—

(a) by the amount calculated in accordance with Part II of the Fourth Schedule where the beneficiary is living with, or is wholly or mainly maintaining, his or her spouse, subject to the restriction that the beneficiary shall not be entitled for the same period to an increase of pension under this paragraph in respect of more than one person,”,

and

(b) the insertion of the following subsection:

“(2) An increase under subsection (1)(a) shall not be payable where the spouse is—

(a) in receipt of any benefit, pension, assistance or allowance under Part II or this Part, or

(b) entitled to or in receipt of an allowance the rate of which is related to the rates of unemployment assistance payable under section 121 or unemployment benefit payable under section 44 or 45, in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science and known as the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, or

(c) entitled to or in receipt of an allowance the rate of which is related to the rates of unemployment assistance payable under section 121 or unemployment benefit payable under section 44 or 45, in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister and known as:

(i) Back to Education Allowance, or

(ii) Back to Work Allowance, or

(iii) Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, or

(iv) Part-time Job Incentive,”.

(3) The Third Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in Rule 1(2) (as amended by section 13 of this Act) of Part I for subparagraph (t) of the following subparagraphs:

“(t) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science and known as the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme,

(u) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister and known as:

(i) Back to Education Allowance, or

(ii) Back to Work Allowance, or

(iii) Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, or

(iv) Part-time Job Incentive,

(v) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of participation in a course approved by An Foras Áiseanna Saothair under the Industrial Training Act, 1967 ,

(w) such other income received by a person or his or her spouse as may be prescribed;”,

(b) the substitution in Rule 1(4) (as amended by section 13 of this Act) of Part II for subparagraph (u) of the following subparagraphs:

“(u) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science and known as the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme,

(v) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister and known as:

(i) Back to Education Allowance, or

(ii) Back to Work Allowance, or

(iii) Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, or

(iv) Part-time Job Incentive,

(w) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of a course approved by An Foras Áiseanna Saothair under the Industrial Training Act, 1967 ,

(x) such other income received by a person or his or her spouse as may be prescribed,”,

(c) the insertion in Rule 1(1) (as amended by section 13 of this Act) of Part III after subparagraph (p) of the following subparagraphs:

“(q) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science and known as the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme,

(r) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister and known as:

(i) Back to Education Allowance, or

(ii) Back to Work Allowance, or

(iii) Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, or

(iv) Part-time Job Incentive,

(s) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of a course approved by An Foras Áiseanna Saothair under the Industrial Training Act, 1967 ;”,

and

(d) the substitution in Rule 1(3) (as amended by section 13 of this Act) of Part IV for subparagraph (r) of the following subparagraphs:

“(r) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister for Education and Science and known as the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme,

(s) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of participation in a scheme administered by the Minister and known as:

(i) Back to Education Allowance, or

(ii) Back to Work Allowance, or

(iii) Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, or

(iv) Part-time Job Incentive,

(t) any moneys received by his or her spouse in respect of a course approved by An Foras Áiseanna Saothair under the Industrial Training Act, 1967 ,

(u) such other income received by a farmer or his or her spouse as may be prescribed;”.

Amendment to prosecution provisions.

25.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the substitution in section 20(6) and paragraph (a) of section 224(7) for “the Collector-General” of “an officer of the Revenue Commissioners”.

(2) This section comes into operation on such day as the Minister may appoint by order.

Carer's benefit — improvement.

26.—(1) The Principal Act is amended—

(a) by the substitution in section 82A (inserted by section 10 of the Act of 2000) for subsection (1) of the following subsection:

“(1) Subject to this Act, in this Chapter—

‘carer’ means a person who has attained the age of 16 years and who—

(a) resides with and provides full-time care and attention to a relevant person, or

(b) subject to such conditions and in such circumstances as may be prescribed, does not reside with but provides full-time care and attention to a relevant person;

‘relevant person’ means a person who has such a disability that he or she requires full-time care and attention.”,

(b) in section 82B (inserted by section 10 of the Act of 2000) by—

(i) the substitution in subsection (5) for “subsection (1)(a)” of “subsection (1)(a) or regulations under subsection (6)”, and

(ii) the insertion after subsection (5) of the following subsection:

“(6) Regulations may provide that, subject to such conditions and in such circumstances as may be prescribed, in the case of a person who is absent from his or her employment within the three-month period referred to in subsection (1)(a), by reason of being on such leave from that employment as may be prescribed, the condition specified in subsection (1)(a) shall be regarded as being satisfied in respect of that person if he or she was engaged in remunerative full-time employment as an employed contributor for such period of three months (other than the three-month period referred to in that subsection) as may be prescribed (and the period that may be so prescribed may comprise two or more periods which, taken together, amount to a period of three months).”,

and

(c) by the insertion in section 82H (inserted by section 10 of the Act of 2000) after paragraph (a) of the following paragraph:

“(aa) carer's benefit shall not be payable in respect of the full-time care and attention being provided to a relevant person in any case where the relevant person is in receipt of an increase of disablement pension under section 57 in respect of constant attendance,”.

(2) This section comes into operation on such day as the Minister may appoint by order.

Qualified adult — rate payable with reduced rate pensions.

27.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the substitution in section 84 (as amended by section 21 of the Act of 1999) for subsection (8) of the following subsections:

“(8) Regulations under subsection (7) shall provide, subject to subsection (8A), that old age (contributory) pension payable by virtue thereof shall be payable at a rate less than that specified in the Second Schedule, and the rate specified by the regulations may vary by reference to the yearly average so calculated, but any increase of that pension payable under section 87(2) shall be the same as if the claimant had a yearly average of not less than 48.

(8A) In the case of a person who, on 5 April 2001, is entitled to or in receipt of a pension by virtue of regulations under subsection (7) which includes an increase under section 87(1), subsection (8) shall not operate so as to reduce the rate of the increase payable under section 87(1) below such rate as may be prescribed.”.

(2) This section comes into operation on 6 April 2001.

Social insurance — retention of modified status.

28.—Section 11(1) (as amended by section 12 of the Act of 1996) of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion after paragraph (aa) of the following paragraph:

“(aaa) in such cases as may be prescribed, persons who, on 5 April 1995, were employed in an employment to which paragraph (a) or (aa) applies and which is prescribed, and who cease to be so employed, but immediately on such cessation become employed in another employment which is prescribed, under terms and conditions which provide that he or she continues to be employed in a permanent and pensionable capacity and for payment during illness on a basis considered adequate by the Minister,”.

PART 5

Alignment of Tax and Calendar Years

Transitional arrangements for the preservation of rights.

29.—(1) Where, consequent on an amendment to the definition of “year of assessment” contained in the Income Tax Acts, the period beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001 is a contribution year as defined in section 2(1) (as amended by section 15 of this Act) of the Principal Act, the Minister may make regulations amending any provision of the Principal Act with respect to the application of that provision in so far as it relates to the period beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001, for the purpose of securing the preservation of rights conferred under or by virtue of the Principal Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, regulations under that subsection may provide for the award of additional—

(a) employment contributions to any person who has paid employment contributions in respect of the contribution year beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001,

(b) voluntary contributions to any person who has paid voluntary contributions in respect of the contribution year beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001 and who is not awarded additional employment contributions in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection, and

(c) optional contributions to any person who has paid optional contributions in respect of the contribution year beginning on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001 and who is not awarded additional employment contributions in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection,

and, subject to such conditions and in such circumstances as may be prescribed, for the manner in which the said employment contributions, voluntary contributions or optional contributions will be taken into account for the purpose of determining entitlement to any benefit.

Further amendments consequential on the alignment of the tax and calendar years.

30.—(1) For the purposes of determining a person's liability in respect of self-employment contributions, voluntary contributions or optional contributions payable in accordance with the Principal Act for the period commencing on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001—

(a) sections 18(1)(a), (c) and (h) (in so far as they apply to self-employed contributors) (as amended in each case by section 9 of this Act), and section 23(1) (as amended by section 11 of this Act) of the Principal Act shall have effect as if for each sum specified therein there were substituted £148, and

(b) section 18(1)(b) of the Principal Act shall have effect as if for the sum specified therein there were substituted £91.76.

(2) For the purposes of determining a person's liability in respect of voluntary contributions or optional contributions payable in accordance with the Principal Act for the period commencing on 1 January 2002 and ending on 31 December 2002—

(a) section 18(1)(h) of the Principal Act (in so far as it applies to optional contributors) shall have effect as if for each sum specified therein there were substituted €187,

(b) section 22(1)(b)(i) of the Principal Act (as amended by section 11 of this Act) shall have effect as if for the sum specified therein there were substituted €93,

(c) section 22(1)(b)(ii) of the Principal Act (as amended by section 11 of this Act) shall have effect as if for the sum specified therein there were substituted €234,

(d) section 22(1)(b)(iii) of the Principal Act (as amended by section 11 of this Act) shall have effect as if for the sum specified therein there were substituted €140, and

(e) section 24B(1)(a) of the Principal Act (as amended by section 8 of the Act of 1995) shall have effect as if for the sum specified therein there were substituted €1,012.

(3) For the purposes of determining a person's entitlement to benefit under sections 32(1) and 32(3) (both amended by section 17 of the Act of 1997), 38(a) (as amended by section 10 of the Act of 1997), 41B(1)(a) (inserted by Article 6 of the European Communities (Social Welfare) Regulations, 1995 ( S.I. No. 25 of 1995 )), 41H(1)(a) (inserted by section 11 of the Act of 1997), 43(1) (as amended by section 8 of the No. 2 Act of 1993) 82C(1) (a) (inserted by section 10 of the Act of 2000) and 115(1)(b)(i), (b)(iii) or (b)(iv) (inserted by section 19 of the Act of 1999) of the Principal Act, in respect of the benefit year commencing on 7 January 2002 and ending on 5 January 2003, the said sections shall be construed as if the words “second last complete contribution year” were substituted for the words “last complete contribution year”.

(4) For the purposes of determining a person's entitlement to benefit under section 38(b) (as amended by section 10 of the Act of 1997) or 41H(1)(b) (as amended by section 11 of the Act of 1997) of the Principal Act, in respect of the benefit year commencing on 7 January 2002 and ending on 5 January 2003, the said section shall be construed as if the words “in the second last complete contribution year or in the third last complete contribution year” were substituted for the words “in the last complete contribution year or in the second last complete contribution year”.

(5) For the purposes of determining a person's entitlement to benefit under sections 32(1), 38(a), 41B(1)(a), 41H(1)(a), 43(1) (as amended in each case by section 20 of this Act) and 82C(1)(c) (inserted by section 10 of the Act of 2000) of the Principal Act, in respect of the benefit year commencing on 7 January 2002 and ending on 5 January 2003, the said section shall be construed as if the words “in the second last and third last complete contribution years” were substituted for the words “in each of the last two complete contribution years”.

(6) For the purposes of determining a person's entitlement to bereavement grant under section 115(1)(b)(ii) (inserted by section 19 of the Act of 1999) in respect of the benefit year commencing on 7 January 2002 and ending on 5 January 2003, the said section shall be construed as if the words “the 3 or 5 complete contributions years immediately preceding the last complete contribution year” were substituted for the words “the last 3 or 5 complete contribution years”.

Commencement (Part 5).

31.—This Part comes 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 6

Amendments Relating to Introduction of Euro

Social insurance benefits (new euro rates).

32.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the substitution for Parts I to IV (inserted by section 4 of this Act) and Part V (inserted by section 4 of the Act of 1999) of the Second Schedule thereto of the Parts set out in Schedule C to this Act.

(2) This section comes into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to unemployment benefit, on 27 December 2001,

(b) in so far as it relates to disability benefit, health and safety benefit, injury benefit and disablement gratuity, on 31 December 2001,

(c) in so far as it relates to carer's benefit, retirement pension, invalidity pension and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(a) of the Act of 1996, on 3 January 2002, and

(d) in so far as it relates to disablement pension, death benefit under section 60, 61 or 62 of the Principal Act, old age (contributory) pension, widow's and widower's (contributory) pension, orphan's (contributory) allowance and bereavement grant, on 4 January 2002.

Social assistance payments (new euro rates).

33.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the substitution for Parts I, II, IIA, IIB and IIC (as amended by section 5 of this Act) of the Fourth Schedule thereto of the Parts set out in Schedule D to this Act.

(2) This section comes into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to unemployment assistance, pre-retirement allowance and farm assist, on 26 December 2001,

(b) in so far as it relates to supplementary welfare allowance, on 31 December 2001,

(c) in so far as it relates to disability allowance, on 2 January 2002,

(d) in so far as it relates to one-parent family payment (other than where payable in respect of a widow or widower), carer's allowance and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(b) or (c) of the Act of 1996, on 3 January 2002, and

(e) 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 4 January 2002.

Child benefit (new euro rates).

34.—(1) The Fourth Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by the substitution for Part III (as amended by section 6 of this Act) of the following Part:

“PART III

Amounts of Child Benefit

(2) This section comes into operation on 1 January 2002.

Family income supplement (new weekly rates — euro).

35.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by the substitution for section 198 (as amended by section 7 of this Act) of the following section:

(2) This section comes into operation on 3 January 2002.

New rates of employment, self-employment, optional and voluntary contributions — euro.

36.—(1) Each provision of the Principal Act mentioned in column (1) of Schedule E to this Act is amended in the manner specified in column (2) of that Schedule opposite the mention of the provision in that column (1).

(2) This section comes into operation on 1 January 2002.

Further amendments consequential on introduction of euro.

37.—(1) The Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in sections 136(2), 144(2) (inserted by section 19 of the Act of 1997), 149(2) (inserted by section 20 of the Act of 1995), 159(2) (inserted by section 17 of the Act of 1996) and 165(2) (inserted by section 16 of the Act of 1994) for “£6” in each place where that amount occurs of “€7.60”, and

(b) the substitution in sections 136(2), 144(2), 149(2), 159(2), 165(2), 191C(2) (inserted by section 13 of the Act of 1996) and 242 for “£2” in each place where that amount occurs of “€2.50”.

(2) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, the amendments effected by subsection (1) of this section shall not, in respect of any person, have the effect of reducing the appropriate scheduled rate (within the meaning of the Principal Act) of payment, by an amount greater than that by which it was reduced in respect of the means of the person concerned immediately before the commencement of this section.

(3) The Principal Act is amended by—

(a) the substitution in sections 119(1) (as amended by section 17 of the Act of 2000), 121(2)(a), 121(2)(b), 121(2)(c), 127(3) and 128(2) (both amended by section 23 of this Act), 177(1)(a)(ii), 191L(1)(c) and 191N(2)(a), 191N(2)(b) and 191N(2)(c) (inserted by section 15 of the Act of 1999) for “£1” in each place where that amount occurs of “€1”, and

(b) the substitution in sections 119(1), 127(3), 177(1)(b) and 191L(1)(c) for “50p” in each place where that amount occurs of “50 cents.”.

(4) Notwithstanding the amendments effected by subsection (3) of this section and subject to subsection (5) of this section, in the case of a person who is, on the commencement of this section, entitled to or in receipt of unemployment assistance, pre-retirement allowance, supplementary welfare allowance or farm assist in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Act, his or her means (calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Act) as rounded in accordance with section 119(1), 127(3), 177(1)(b) or 191L(1)(c) of the Principal Act, immediately before the commencement of this section, shall be converted to the equivalent euro amount and rounded down to the nearest euro.

(5) Subsections (2) and (4) of this section shall cease to apply to the person concerned where the income or capital value of property, being the income or capital value of property on which the assessment of his or her means (calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Act) was based on the commencement of this section, is found to have changed.

(6) Each provision of the Principal Act mentioned in column (1) of Schedule F to this Act is amended by the substitution for the amount specified in column (2) of that Schedule opposite the mention of the provision in that column (1) (whether the amount occurs once or more than once in that provision), of the amount specified in column (3) of that Schedule, opposite the mention of the amount specified in that column (2).

(7) This section, other than subsection (6), comes into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to unemployment assistance, pre-retirement allowance and farm assist, on 26 December 2001,

(b) in so far as it relates to supplementary welfare allowance, on 31 December 2001,

(c) in so far as it relates to disability allowance, on 2 January 2002,

(d) in so far as it relates to one-parent family payment (other than where payable in respect of a widow or widower), carer's allowance and a relevant payment by virtue of section 18(1)(b) or (c) of the Act of 1996, on 3 January 2002, and

(e) 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 4 January 2002.

(8) Subsection (6) of this section comes 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 7

Amendment of Health Contributions Act, 1979

Amendment to Health Contributions Act, 1979 — alignment of tax and calendar year.

38.—(1) For the purpose of determining a person's liability in respect of the health contribution payable in accordance with the provisions of the Health Contributions Act, 1979 , for the period commencing on 6 April 2001 and ending on 31 December 2001, sections 7A(1)(b) and (2) (as amended by section 34 of the Act of 2000) shall have effect as if for the sum specified therein there were substituted £10,775.

(2) This section comes into operation on such day as the Minister may appoint by order.

Amendment to Health Contributions Act, 1979 — euro.

39.—(1) Section 7A of the Health Contributions Act, 1979 , is amended by—

(a) the substitution in paragraph (1)(a) of “€356” for “£280” (inserted by section 34(1)(a) of the Act of 2000),

(b) the substitution in paragraph (1)(b) of “€18,512” for “£14,560” (inserted by section 34(1)(b) of the Act of 2000), and

(c) the substitution in subsection (2) of “€18,512” for “£14,560” (inserted by section 34(1)(c) of the Act of 2000).

(2) This section comes into operation on 1 January 2002.

SCHEDULE A

Section 4.

“Second Schedule

Rates of Benefits

PART I

Rates of Periodical Benefits and Increases Thereof

PART II

Occupational Injuries Benefits — Gratuities and Grants

PART III

Disablement Pension

PART IV

Increase of Disablement Pension

”.

SCHEDULE B

Section 5.

“Fourth Schedule

Rates of Assistance

PART I

Rates of Periodical Social Assistance and Increases Thereof

PART II

Increase of Old Age (Non-Contributory) Pension for One of a Couple and Increase in Blind Pension for One of a Couple where both Beneficiary and Spouse have attained Pensionable Age

PART IIA

Increase of Blind Pension for One of a Couple Where both Beneficiary and Spouse have not Attained Pensionable Age

PART IIB

Increase of Blind Pension for One of a Couple Where Beneficiary has not Attained Pensionable Age and Spouse has Attained Pensionable Age

PART IIC

Increase of Blind Pension for One of a Couple Where Beneficiary has Attained Pensionable Age and Spouse has not Attained Pensionable Age

”.

SCHEDULE C

Section 32.

“Second Schedule

Rates of Benefits

PART I

Rates of Periodical Benefits and Increases Thereof