Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 May 2014
262. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection when the heads of the social welfare and pensions Bill will be published and brought before the joint committee on social protection; the purpose and main provisions of the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20270/14]
View answerThe main purpose of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014 is to transpose the provisions of Directive 2010/41/EU on the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity in a self-employed capacity, in so far as the Directive relates to ensuring that the spouse or civil partner of a self-employed worker can benefit from social protection in accordance with national law. The deadline for transposing these aspects of this Directive is 5 August 2014. This Bill will also provide for a range of other changes to the social welfare code arising from policy, administrative, operational and control matters. In addition, the Bill may provide for amendments to the Pensions Act 1990 in relation to the regulatory framework for occupational pension schemes.
It is expected that the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014 will be published around the end of May. As the Bill will need to be enacted before the summer recess in order to comply with the 5 August 2014 transposition deadline for Directive 2010/41/EU, it is not intended, given the time available, to refer the Heads of this Bill to the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection for pre-legislative scrutiny.
