No. 4 of 2005 - Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2005

What does this law do?

The Social Welfare and Pensions Act includes provision for:

  • increases in Child Benefit,
  • improvements in Carers Benefit and Carer's Respite Care Grant,
  • improvements in Disability Benefit and Disability Allowance,
  • improvements in Injury Benefit,
  • increases in the capital value which will be disregarded for most means test purposes.

The Act also provides for a number of amendments to the Pensions Act 1990. These amendments are required to implement EU Directive 2003/41/EC on the activities and supervision of the Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORPs) and to implement recommendations from the Pensions Board to the Minister on foot of a review of the Funding Standard.

In addition, the Act provides for a number of miscellaneous amendments to the Social Welfare Code and the Pensions Act.

Contact Department: Department of Social & Family Affairs

Signed by the President on: 14.03.2005

Full version of Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2005 on Oireachtas website