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The Poor Law
In England, the Poor Law – which had been in operation from the 16th century – was intended to deal with the problem of destitution. However, the immigration of destitute Irish labourers placed considerable strain on the English Poor Law system and it was decided that specific provision be made for dealing with poverty in Ireland.
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Irish Famine
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Employers’ Liability Act
The Employers' Liability Act extended protection to workers concerning accidents caused by the negligence of managers, superintendents and foremen. Railway companies were also made liable when their employees were injured through the negligence of signalmen, drivers and pointsmen. However, the act did not protect employees against accidents caused by fellow workers. -
Workmen's Compensation Act
Under the provisions of the 1897 Act, employers were required to pay compensation – according to a fixed scale – where an accident at work led to the injury, or death, of an employee. -
Old Age Pensions Act
The non-contributory Old-Age Pensions Act was an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom passed in 1908. The Act is often regarded as one of the foundations of modern social welfare in the United Kingdom and Ireland and formed part of the wider social welfare reforms of the Liberal Government of 1906-1914. Click here for more -
Labour Exchanges Act
The Labour Exchanges Act of 1909 established a national employment service to assist the mobility of labour, thereby “reducing the misery of tramping after problematical work”.
Prior to Labour Exchanges, workers would have to search for jobs themselves, which was quite difficult during the winter.A network of labour exchanges was established to administer the employment Read more -
National Insurance Act
The first compulsory social insurance scheme in Britain and Ireland was given effect by the National Insurance Act, 1911. This Act became law on December 16, 1911, and came into operation on July 15, 1912. Read more -
Blind Person's Pension
In 1920, a pension scheme was established under the Blind Person’s Pension Act. Pensions were made available to blind persons aged between 50 and 70 years, subject to a means test.
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Outdoor Relief replaced by Home Assistance
Outdoor relief, as the name suggests, was the title given to a form of relief that was administered to those not resident in the workhouse. This type of relief was subject to the ¼ acre or Gregory Clause, whereby people who owned more than ¼ of an acre of land were disqualified from application. Read more -
Unemployment Assistance Act
Local councils had, over a number of years, passed resolutions calling for the relief of the able-bodied unemployed to be made a national and not a local charge. The effect of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933, was, in fact, to transfer from local authorities to the national Exchequer the obligation or providing such relief. Read more -
Widow's and Orphan's Pensions Act
The Widow’s and Orphan’s Pensions Act, 1935, introduced both a contributory and a non-contributory scheme. While it was considered that the extension of the social welfare system was best pursued along the lines of compulsory contributory insurance, the scope of an insurance scheme would have been too narrow at the time (with only 32% of the male population of insurable age Read more -
Public Assistance Act
The Public Assistance Act, 1939, consolidated the existing law relating to the relief of the poor by local authorities, and for that purpose to amend generally the laws relating to poverty. Read more -
"Wet-Time" Scheme
In 1942, a scheme was introduced to protect employees against loss of earnings in cases where their work was interrupted because of inclement weather, since such temporary and irregular breaks in work did not come within the scope of either the unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance schemes.
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Fuel Schemes (Urban)
The urban schemes were introduced in 1942. Known collectively as the “cheap fuel scheme”, their objective was to ensure a supply of fuel for urban dwellers in the “non-turf” areas during the Emergency. They were operated by the local authorities. Entitlement was confined to non-contributory old age pensioners, widow pensioners, and to unemployment assistance recipients who have dependants. Up until 1979, the allowance was given in the form of a 1 cwt. of turf a week. -
Cheap Footwear Scheme
The cheap footwear scheme was introduced in 1944 under the Public Assistance Act, 1939, but was later operated within the scope of the Supplementary Allowance Scheme administered by the Health Boards. Beneficiaries under the scheme were normally children (up to 18 years of age) whose parents or guardians were recipients of supplementary welfare allowance, social welfare benefits or assistance, disabled person’s maintenance allowance or infectious diseases maintenance allowance. -
Children's Allowance
Under the Children’s Allowances Act, 1944, allowances became payable to the head of a household in which there were three or more qualified children, regardless of income. The scheme was financed entirely by the State out of general taxation.
Click here for a detailed history of the origins of the scheme -
Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act
This Act established a separate Department of Social Welfare (from 1947) to assume responsibility for social insurance and assistance schemes previously administered by the Department of Local Government and Public Health (pensions) and the Department of Industry and Commerce (unemployment benefit, child allowance and workmen’s compensation). -
Department founded
The Department of Social Welfare was established in 1947 to co-ordinate and administer more efficiently the various social welfare schemes already in operation and “to provide an effective scaffolding for their development.” Click here for more information -
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Department of Social Welfare
Department known as Department of Social Welfare for over 50 years. 16 Ministers served the Department in that time. Clcik here for a full list of the Department's Ministers -
White Paper on Social Security
The White Paper proposed that social insurance be extended to cover the entire employee class. Click here for more information -
Dissolution of National Health Insurance Society
The National Health Insurance Act of 1933 provided for the merger of 65 friendly societies to form the United Health Insurance Society. In 1942 the National Health Society announced that hospital treatment would be provided for insured people (but not their families). GP treatment had to be paid for by individuals.
Under the Social Welfare Act, 1950, the Society was dissolved and its functions transferred to the Minister for Social Welfare. -
Children's allowance extended to second child
In 1952 Child Allowance was extended to second child (benefits previously available to families with at least three children); maternity allowance for insured women. -
Social Welfare Act 1952
Click here for more informationUnification and simplification of existing social insurance services -
New HQ in Áras Mac Dhiarmada
Designed also to accommodate the Central Bus
Station, Busaras, Áras Mac Dhiarmada is recognised as one of the most significant buildings in the architectural history of twentieth
century Ireland. -
Means-tested allowance for disabled persons
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Contributory Old Age pension scheme introduced
The Social Welfare Amendmennt Act Introduced a contributory old age pension scheme under the social insurance system; scheme effective from January 1961; pensions payable at the age of 70; basic pension rates vary according to contribution records; supplement paid for dependent spouse; abolished maximum age limit of 70 years for receipt of widow’s contributory pension. -
Child allowance extended to first child
The allowance was further extended to families with one or more children with payment rates varying depending on the number of children in the family. -
Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
Calculation of means of smallholders in congested areas of the country for the purposes of unemployment assistance to be made henceforth on a notional basis related to land valuation rather than on a factual basis as previously; enabled smallholders to qualify for unemployment assistance and removed disincentive to work land to its full capacity; effective from January 1966.
Raised earnings ceiling for insurance of white-collar employees to IRL£1,200 per annum. -
Occupational Injuries Benefits scheme
A State-administered insurance scheme in respect of occupational injuries and diseases. Click here for more information -
Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
Extended maximum duration of unemployment benefit from 156 days to 312 days for those aged over 18.
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Redundancy payments scheme introduced
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Free Travel introduced
Free travel on public transport was introduced in the 1967 Budget for old age, blind and elderly widowed pensioners and the scheme has since been extended to all residents over the age of 66. Click here for more information -
Free Electricity Allowance
The electricity bill, because it is a relatively large recurring item of household expenditure, was seen as being a source of anxiety for social welfare recipients. It was with a view to alleviating such anxiety that the free electricity allowance was announced in the 1967 Budget. Click here for more information -
Free Television Licence
A scheme providing free television licences for certain categories of pensioners was introduced in 1968. Persons who qualified for the free electricity allowance were also entitled to a free television licence (monochrome sets only). If the applicant had a colour set he/she had to pay the difference in licence values. -
Means-tested allowance for unmarried mothers
Means-tested allowance for unmarried mothers; social insurance benefit for deserted wives; maternity insurance extended to all female employees; earnings-related component added to basic flat-rate maternity benefit. -
Invalidity and Retirement Pensions
Invalidity and Retirement Pensions; Death Grant; Deserted Wife’s Allowance; Old Age Care Allowance
Retirement pension at age 65 and Invalidity Pension for same groups as insured for old age pension. -
Pensionable age reduced progressively from 70 to 66 years.
1973-1977 – Normal pensionable age reduced progressively from 70 to 66 years. -
Social Welfare (Pay-Related Benefit) Act
This Act introduced an earnings-related supplement payment with flat-rate unemployment, disability and maternity benefits. Click here for more information -
Social Welfare Act - Married Women
Abolished rule disqualifying woman from receipt of unemployment benefit after marriage until 26 weekly insurance contributions had been paid subsequent to marriage. -
Supplementary Welfare Allowances
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Supplementary Welfare Allowances (SWA)
Introduced in 1977 as a scheme of last resort to provide financial and other assistance on the basis of need with the objective of breaking the cycle of poverty in Ireland. The scheme to be managed by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, but delivered locally through Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) as part of the Community Welfare Service operated by the Health Boards. -
Free Telephone Rental Allowance
This scheme was introduced in 1978. It was initially made available to old age-type pensioners who were receiving a living-alone supplement, but was later extended to persons receiving payments for permanent incapacity, i.e. invalidity pension, blind person’s pension and disabled person’s maintenance allowance -
Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
Pay-Related Social Insurance was introduced in 1979. Prior to the introduction of PRSI, employers would literally stamp a card for each week of employment. This card was then brought by the employee to a local social welfare office in order to claim social welfare payments. PRSI came into effect on April 6, 1979. -
National Fuel Scheme
The national fuel scheme was introduced in 1980 to expand and rationalise some haphazard ad hoc schemes then in existence in various parts of the country which had originated under the old Home Assistance Scheme. It was operated by the Health Boards within the framework of the Supplementary Welfare Allowances Scheme. -
Maternity Allowance introduced
This Act entitles expectant mothers to maternity leave from their employment and to return to work after their confinement. The period of statutory maternity leave is 14 weeks, four of which must be taken before the birth and four after. Click here for more information -
Rent Allowance scheme
This Rent Allowance is payable to tenants of certain dwellings affected by the de-control of rents on 26 July 1982.
Until 26 July 1982, the Rent Restrictions Act 1960 to 1982 controlled rent for certain dwellings. Following de-control, a tenant who would suffer hardship due to a rent increase may qualify for a Rent Allowance. -
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Commission on Social Welfare
The Commission on Social Welfare (CSW) was a commission that, from 1983 to 1986, reviewed social welfare in the country. Social security policy between 1987 and 1994 was heavily influenced by the findings of the CSW. Click here for more information -
Family Income Supplement
The FIS scheme, introduced in October 1984, was designed to provide income support for employees on low earnings with children and thereby preserve the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off if he/she were claiming other social welfare payments. -
Child Benefit (CB)
Child Benefit was introduced to replace Children’s Allowance and Child Tax Allowance. -
PRSI for the self-employed introduced
The Social Welfare Act, 1988, extended compulsory social insurance to the self-employed. -
Widower’s (non-contributory) pension and deserted husband’s allowance introduced
Allowance for Widowers and deserted Husbands introduced; Pre-retirement Allowance introduced; -
Opening of Sligo PSO
Opened by the then Minister for Social Welfare Dr. Michael Woods TD -
Letterkenny Office Opened
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Regional Management Structure established
A regional management structure was established in 1991. There are 10 regions (three in the greater Dublin area and seven throughout the rest of the country) and each is headed by a Regional Manager, supported by a central unit under the control of the Regional Director.
The boundaries of each region, in as far as possible, were defined to coincide with regions and areas covered by other state services, thus allowing for closer liaison with regional managers or other statutory agencies. -
Longford office opened
Longford Government Offices opened its door for the first time to Phase 1 - Invalidity Pensions, Invalidity Carer's Allowance & Disability Benefits (Book Payments). Local Office transferred from Church Street. Click here to read more about the Longford office in the Winter 2003 issue of Social Affairs -
Integrated Social Services System (ISSS)
An Inter-Departmental Committee was established in December 1993 to promote the development of an Integrated Social Services System. The objective of the ISSS is to ensure the delivery of comprehensive and co-ordinated social services to customers by eliminating duplication and maximising resources. Click here for more information -
Widower’s Contributory pension introduced;
The Homemaker’s Scheme, introduced in 1994, is designed to protect the pension entitlements of those who leave the workforce to care for children under 12 years of age or an incapacitated child or adult who needs full-time care and attention. For more information click here -
Integrated Short Term Schemes (ISTS) introduced
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Insurance for Public Sector Workers
This Act provided for changes to social insurance coverage for some public sector workers. Public service workers recruited after 6th April, 1995, became fully insured for Social Welfare purposes, including pensions. Their occupational pensions were adjusted to integrate them with Social Welfare pensions to arrive at the overall pension. Community Employment Workers to be covered by full-rate Social Insurance. -
Take-over of DPMA Scheme / Disability Allowance
Arrangements for the transfer of the Disabled Person’s Maintenance Allowance scheme from the Health Boards to the Department were completed with effect from 2 October, 1996, and the scheme is now known as Disability Allowance. For more information click here -
DSW News Magazine launched
A copy of the first issue can be read in the archive by clicking the link below Social Affairs Archive -
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Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs
The Department's second name lasted for just under 5 years. Dermot Ahern served as Minister for that entire time. -
Waterford office opened
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Family Mediation Service established
The first Family Mediation Service office was opened in Athlone in 1998.
Mediation is a service to help couples in Ireland who have decided to separate or divorce or who have already separated, to negotiate their own terms of agreement, while addressing the needs and interests of all involved. Mediation allows people to make their own decisions. For more information click here -
Carer’s Benefit introduced
Carer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who have recently left the workforce and who are looking after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. It is payable for a period of 2 years for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years. The Scheme was introduced on 26 October 2000 -
Changes to contribution conditions
2001 – Changes to contribution conditions for short-term benefits to facilitate worksharers; Maternity Benefit extended to 18 weeks -
First Actuarial Review of Social Insurance Fund published
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Department of Social and Family Affairs
During this span of almost 8 years the Department had 4 different Ministers. -
Developmental Welfare State
A highly influential report of the National Economic and Social Council emphasising the fact that welfare is composed of three main elements -Services (housing, health etc.), Income Supports and 'Activation' services. -
2006 – Early Childcare Supplement (ECS)
Introduction of a tax-free non-means-tested supplement of €1000 per annum to assist with childcare costs of children under 6 years of age. -
Carrick on Shannon office opens
For more information see the Winter 2007 edition of Social Affairs HERE -
Early Childcare Supplement replaced
Payment abolished with effect from 1 January and replaced with a free pre-school year of Early Childhood Care and Education for all children aged between 3 years and 6 months and 4 years and 6 months. -
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Department of Social Protection
The Department's current title was announced on the 23rd of March 2010 -
Buncrana Office opened
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Activation linked to Welfare
For the fist time jobseekers are obliged to take up a suitable offer of training or employment support If they fail to do so their welfare payment can be reduced. -
JobBridge launched
A new scheme to encourage employers to provide work experience opportunities to unemployed people....to break the 'no experience no work; no work no experience' vicious cycle faced byunemployed people and to offer employers some support in recruiting workers during a time of constrained access to working capital -
National Employment and Entitlement Service
Publication of the plan to merge Community Welfare Services, FAS employment services and Department of Social Protection welfare services to deliver an integrated employment and welfare service - later named Intreo - to jobseekers -
Pathways to Work Launched
Minister Joan Burton officially launched the Pathways to Work initiative, a radical new plan to get unemployed people back into the workplace
Click Here for More -
Intreo launched
Intreo, the new integrated employment and support service, was launched on 15th October 2012 by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and Minister Joan Burton T.D. in the Sligo office. Click here for more information -
JobsPlus
A new recruitment subsidy offering employers up to €10,000 over two years for hiring and retaining long term unemployed people -
Lone Parents Jobseeker Transition
A new scheme - Jobseeker's Transitional Payment - is launched to encourage lone parents of older children transition to jobseeker status and on into employment. Lone parents of older children will be required to use Intreo services. -
Back to Work Family Dividend
Jobseekers with families are supported to take up work by being allowed to retain that part of their jobseeker payment related to child dependents for up to 2 years while in employment -
Paternity Benefit
A new scheme is launched enabling fathers to take two weeks paid leave to care for young children -
Demolition of Oisin House
The Department vacates Oisin House in 2016 and it is demolished in 2017. -
The Department takes on a new role and name
The Taoiseach announced in a statement to Dáil Éireann on 15 June 2017 that labour affairs and labour law responsibilities would transfer from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to the Department of Social Protection. The Order giving effect to this was signed this week and will take effect on 2nd September 2017
