(1) This Act may be cited as the Social Welfare Act 2012.

(2) The Social Welfare Acts and this Act, other than Part 3, shall be read together as one.

(3) The Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2011 and Part 3 shall be read together as one and may be cited together as the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2012.

(4) Sections 13, 15, 16 and 17 shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister for Social Protection may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision, and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions.