No. 41 of 2004 - Social Welfare Act 2004
What does this law do?
The Social Welfare Act 2004 provides for increases in the rates of social insurance and social assistance payments and improvements in the Family Income Supplement scheme. It also provides for an increase from 70% to 75% in the percentage of reckonable weekly earnings referred to in calculating the rate of Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit.
In addition, the Act provides for an increase in the annual earnings/income ceiling above which PRSI contributions are not payable by employed or optional contributors, as announced in the Budget. Changes to the Health Contributions Act 1979 to allow for increases in the annual and weekly thresholds for the Health Contribution Levy also feature in the Act.
Contact Department: Department of Social & Family Affairs
Signed by the President on: 17.12.04
Full version of Social Welfare Act 2004 on Oireachtas website