Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Commencement of Legislation.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

393 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the Acts and provisions of Acts for the commencement of which an order or decision of the Government is required which have not been commenced by reason of the fact that such an order or decision has not been made; the plans there are for the making of such an order or decision in each case; if so, when such an order or decision will be made; the reason for the failure in each case to make such an order or decision to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23042/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

There is no Act, for which my Department is responsible, that has not been commenced by my Department. The Social Welfare Act, 2000 was enacted on 29 March 2000 and the sections listed below have yet to be commenced. The remaining provisions of earlier Social Welfare Acts in respect of which commencement orders have not been made are also set out in the following table:

Relevant Provision	General Outline
Social Welfare Act, 2000
Section 8(1)(d) & (f)	This Section provides for 0.7% reduction in the standard and lower rates of employer PRSI, to ensure that there is no overall increase in the employer's PRSI contribution following the introduction of the new National Training Fund Levy.
	The promulgation of the Commencement Order will coincide with the introduction of the required employment protection legislation by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Sections 10 and 11	Provide for the introduction of the new carer's benefit scheme. This is an insurance-based scheme designed to facilitate people who wish to leave the workforce temporarily to care for older people or for people with disabilities who are in need of full-time care and attention.
	These provisions will be commenced with effect from 26 October 2000.
Relevant Provision	General Outline
Social Welfare Act, 2000
Section 28	Provides for a number of amendments to existing Carer's Allowance legislation designed to align that scheme with the provisions of the new carer's benefit. The amendments will take effect on the introduction of the Carer's Benefit scheme on 26 October 2000.
Section 31	Provides for changes in the administration of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, which will be addressed in conjunction with additional procedural issues.
Social Welfare Act, 1999	All provisions commenced.
Social Welfare Act, 1998
Section 17	Provides for actuarial reviews of the Social Insurance Fund to be undertaken on a five yearly basis and will be commenced later this year.
Social Welfare Act, 1997
Part IV	Provides for the introduction of a new Sickness Allowance scheme. The overall purpose of the proposed Sickness Allowance scheme will be reviewed this year as part of the review of the income maintenance schemes for people with illness-disability.
	All those who would have qualified for Sickness Allowance are currently being catered for through other payments, such as Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
Section 26(1)(b)	This Section contains regulatory powers to prescribe the provisions relating to benefit and privilege in the context of means assessment.
Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1995
Section 10(4)	Provides regulatory powers under which a divorced person may receive a qualified adult allowance in respect of more than one person. The need for this Regulation is examined on an ongoing basis.
Social Welfare Act, 1995
Section 22	Provides regulatory powers designed to standardise the arrangements applying to various social welfare schemes, in relation to absence from the State.
Social Welfare Act, 1994
Section 20	Provides for the integration of Injury Benefit and Unemployability Supplement, payable under the Occupational Injuries Benefits scheme, with Disability Benefit.
	The overall role of Occupational Injuries Benefit payments will be included in the review of sickness/ disability schemes taking place this year.
	Decisions on the implementation of this Section will be taken in the light of the findings of this review.