Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

"Iris Oifigiúil" of 14th February, 2012.

I, JOAN BURTON, Minister for Social Protection, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 1 (4) of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010 (No. 37 of 2010), hereby order as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010 (Sections 12 and 13) (Commencement) Order 2012.

2. The 13th day of February 2012 is appointed as the day on which sections 12 and 13 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010 (No. 37 of 2010) come into operation.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

9 February 2012.

JOAN BURTON,

Minister for Social Protection.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

This Order provides for the commencement of Sections 12 and 13 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010 , with effect from the 13th February 2012.

Sections 12 and 13 provide for the introduction of a Partial Capacity Scheme and for consequential changes to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 .