Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (running consolidation)

In 2005 the Social Welfare Acts were consolidated. However, there have been a number of amendments since then – for example every year the ‘Budget Bill’ implements the annual social welfare changes announced in the October Budget. The document below is an administrative consolidation of Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to take account of changes since then. It has been prepared by officials in the Department of Social Protection.

The Act provides, in a single document, the legislative basis that govern the social welfare code, including the Social Insurance Fund, Social Insurance-Based Benefits (for example State Contributory Pension, Jobseeker's Benefit) Social Assistance schemes (for example Carer’s Allowance, One Parent Family Payment), Child Benefit, the control and application of these schemes as well as insurability provisions relating to employees and self-employed persons.

In addition, it details offences and penalties and provides for legal proceedings under the social welfare code, the mechanisms governing decisions and appeals in relation to social welfare, and the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.