No. 41 of 2003 - The Social Welfare Act, 2003
What does this Law do?
The Social Welfare Act, 2003 provides for increases in the rates of social insurance and social assistance payments, improvements in the Family Income Supplement scheme, and an increase in the amount of the Widowed Parent Grant, as announced in the 2004 Budget Statement.
The Act further provides for an increase in the annual earnings or income ceiling up to which Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions are payable by employees or optional contributors. Provisions in relation to amendments to the Social Welfare code are also contained in the Act, and these include changes to claim linking, duration of entitlement to Unemployment Benefit, amendments to qualified child increases, and changes to the Rent and Mortgage Supplements payable in accordance with the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
Finally, the Act provides for a minor technical amendment to the legislation governing the application of PRSI, Health Contributions and the National Training Fund Levy to benefits-in-kind.
Contact Department: Department of Social & Family Affairs
Signed by the President on: 19.12.03