1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security (Jobseeker’s Allowance and Mariners' Benefits) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 and shall come into operation on 11th March 1997.
(2) In these Regulations “the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations” means the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(1).
(3) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(2) shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
2.—(1) Regulation 14 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (circumstances in which a person is to be treated as available) shall be amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) In paragraph (1) for “to whom regulation 15 (circumstances in which a person is not to be regarded as available) applies,” there shall be substituted “to whom regulation 15(a), (b) or (c) (circumstances in which a person is not to be regarded as available) applies,”.
(3) In paragraph (1) for sub-paragraph (i)(3) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph—
“(i)if the period beginning on and including the date of claim and ending on the day before the beginning of the first week after the date of claim is less than 7 days and the circumstances in paragraph (2A) apply, for any part of that period when he is not treated as available for employment under any other provision of this regulation;”.
(4) After paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—
“(2A) A person shall be treated as available for employment under paragraph (1)(i) only if—
(a)where a pattern of availability is recorded in his jobseeker’s agreement, or where he has restricted the hours for which he is available in accordance with regulation 13(3) or (4) (additional restrictions) or 17(2)(4) (laid off and short-time workers) and that restriction has been agreed with an employment officer, he is available for employment during such of the period referred to in paragraph (1)(i) as he is not treated as available for employment under any other provision of this regulation, in accordance with—
(i)his pattern of availability or, as the case may be, the hours to which he has restricted his availability in accordance with regulation 13(3) or (4) or 17(2);
(ii)any other restrictions he has placed on his availability for employment which will apply in the first week after the date of claim, provided those restrictions have been agreed with an employment officer, and
(iii)if he falls within regulation 5 (exceptions to requirement to be available immediately), that regulation;
(b)where no pattern of availability is recorded in his jobseeker’s agreement, he is available for employment during such of the period referred to in paragraph (1)(i) as he is not treated as available for employment under any other provision of this regulation—
(i)in accordance with any restrictions he has placed on his availability for employment which will apply in the first week after the date of claim, provided those restrictions have been agreed with an employment officer;
(ii)for 8 hours on each day falling within that period on which he is not treated as available for employment to any extent under any other provision of this regulation, and
(iii)if he falls within regulation 5, in accordance with that regulation.”.
3. In regulation 15 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (circumstances in which a person is not to be regarded as available) after paragraph (b) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—
“(bb) if the period beginning on and including the date of claim and ending on the day before the beginning of the first week after the date of claim is less than 7 days, for that period, unless he is treated as available for employment for that period in accordance with regulation 14 (circumstances in which a person is to be treated as available);”.
4. After regulation 18 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (steps to be taken by persons actively seeking employment) there shall be inserted the following regulation—
18A.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies in any case where the period beginning on and including the date of claim and ending on the day before the beginning of the first week after the date of claim is less than 7 days.
(2) Where this paragraph applies, a person is actively seeking employment in the period referred to in paragraph (1) if he takes in that period such steps as he can reasonably be expected to have to take in order to have the best prospects of securing employment and in determining whether a person has taken such steps—
(a)the steps which it is reasonable for him to be expected to have to take include those referred to in regulation 18(2) (steps to be taken by persons actively seeking employment), and
(b)regard shall be had to all the circumstances of the case, including those matters referred to in regulation 18(3)(5).”.
5. Regulation 19(1)(i) of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations(6) (circumstances in which a person is to be treated as actively seeking employment) shall be omitted.
6. Regulation 6(3) of the Social Security (Mariners' Benefits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1975(7) and regulation 7(2) of the Social Security and Child Support (Jobseeker’s Allowance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(8) are hereby revoked.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland on
L.S.
John O'Neill
Assistant Secretary
10th March 1997.