Welfare Post-War
A Department of Social Welfare
An important reform was the establishment of the Departments of Health and Social Welfare in 1947. They recognised these areas as distinct policy areas with separate ministerial responsibilities.
Irish society at the time was much more agricultural and rural based than the United Kingdom. The resources available to governments are much lower, and the Irish equivalent of British reform was shaped in that context.
Inter-Party Government
The Interparty government which took power in 1948 agreed a 10 point policy plan which included a commitment for comprehensive social security plan to  provide insurance against old age, illness, blindness and unemployment etc.1951 saw the introduction of a contributory old age pension.
The Labour Party leader and Minister for Social Welfare, William Norton presented the plans in the 1949 White Paper Social Security. The unification of  administration of  all schemes under the newly established Department  was an important aim.
Legislation was prepared to give effect to the reforms in the 1950 but lapsed with the collapse of the government. The legislation was divisive in a government with a very wide range of interests. Norton was forced to make compromises which changed scheme from the initial proposal which was closer to the UK  scheme.
Fianna Fail Back in Power
The Social Welfare Act as passed and that proposed by the interparty government were substantially similar. However, there were a number of key differences.
A salary  limit was introduced. Females in agriculture and domestic service had been proposed, to be included but were excluded by the final act. The bill from the Labour Party leader had provided for insurance for private members of cooperatives. . This was excluded.
There was provision of old age pension at 65 years for men and 60 years for women.   This was not included in the 1952 Act, but  unemployment benefit was available. A provision for a death grant was excluded in the Act. Generally, the act provided for lower contributions and lower benefits, that the  original 1950 bill.
Many of the administrative issues had been resolved and the groundwork was laid,  when Fianna Fail  government secured passage of the Social Welfare Act 1952 which implemented Norton’s proposals with modifications.
Modern Legislation
The social welfare legislation was consolidated and reformed in 1952. There were incremental developments from then onwards. There was severe unemployment and immigration to the 1950s.
The 1952 Act was a result of a lengthy gestation and involved ideological battles regarding the redistribution of resources. In a sense it amounted to the birth of the social welfare system in Ireland.
The reforms in the 1953 Health Act and the 1952 Social Welfare act, defined the Irish welfare state until the 1970s. The 1952 Social Welfare Act came into force in 1953. It replaced the separate scheme for unemployment, national health, widow and orphans’ pension.
Social Insurance System
A single social insurance scheme was provided for. All persons between 16 and 70 employed under contract for employment were compulsorily insurable under the legislation. It covered male employees in agriculture and domestic service.
The scheme could be modified in relation to members of local authorities, governmental authorities, defence force, teachers and persons employed in statutory transport undertakings. These groups were given more limited coverage contributions.
An income of £600 initially applied. This was removed to apply only to non-manual workers. Provision was made for persons who were formerly subject to mandatory insurance to continue making voluntary insurance for the purpose of widow and orphans’ pension only provided they had made the records with number of contributions.
Flat rate contributions were payable by employers and employees. There were ordinary and special rates of contribution. There were provisions for voluntary contributions. Reduced rates applied to contributions from employers and employees for persons engaged in agriculture (man) or women engaged in agriculture or domestic service.
Benefits
The same benefit rates were payable for sickness, unemployment , maternity and widows.   Disability and unemployment benefit qualified for adult and child dependency rates. The child dependent allowance was payable to widows in receipt of  a widow’s pension.
Married women ceased to be entitled to benefit after marriage unless they continued employment of 26 contributions subsequently. The rates applicable to married women were lower those for  single women.
On marriage, an insured woman might  qualify for a marriage large lump sum in  compensation for termination of insurance rights. She could continue as a voluntary  contributor if she met certain requirements of the scheme.