The Object of this Bill is to amend the National Insurance Act, 1956, so as to:
(i) increase the rates of the benefits and of the contributions; 

(ii) as from the 4th April, 1977, require self-employed and non-employed persons to pay the contributions from the age of 18 years and employed persons to pay the contribution at the adult rate from such an age;
(iii) as from the same date, enable insured persons to receive sickness, injury and unemployment benefits from the age of 18 years;
(iv) introduce a "waiting period" of three days before payment of sickness,
unemployment and injury benefit is made;
(v) reduce the number of days of entitlement of sickness, injury and unemployment benefits by the number of days of disqualification which may be imposed under the current provisions of this Act.