Social Welfare Bill Approved By Government

The Social Welfare Bill 2015 has been published by the Tánaiste Joan Burton, following approval by the government.

The Bill will give effect to a number of social protection measures announced in Budget 2016, which relate to statutory schemes and can only be implemented by way of primary legislation.

The main measures of the Bill include:

• An increase in the monthly rate of Child Benefit to €140 from January 2016;

• An increase of €3 in the weekly pension for pensioners and carers aged 66 years and over;

• An increase of €2 for adult dependants aged under 66 years and an increase of €2.70 for adult dependants aged 66 years or over;

• The name of the Respite Care Grant scheme is to be changed to Carer's Support Grant. The rate of the grant is to be increased by €325 to €1,700 from 1 June 2016;

• Carer's Allowance will be paid for 12 weeks (currently 6 weeks) from January 2016, after the death of the person being cared for;

• An increase of €5 per week in the Family Income Supplement income thresholds for families with one child and €10 per week in thresholds for families of two or more children;

• A new tapered PRSI Credit for employees insured Class A whose earnings are between €352.01 and €424 in a week;

• The lower 8.5% Class A rate of employer PRSI will apply to weekly earnings up to €376 (up from €356) with effect from 1 January.

The Tánaiste said that the purpose of Budget 2016 was to improve the lives and the living standards of every family in the country. "The Government is driving a strong economic recovery and my priority is to make sure that every household benefits. Last year with limited resources, we were able to introduce a Budget that began the process of raising living standards and re-investing in our communities. We're building on that progress this year and the welfare charges will particularly help low and middle-income families, retired people and vulnerable groups," the Minister said.

(MH/LM)