S.I. No. 154/1988:

SOCIAL WELFARE (ABSENCE FROM THE STATE) REGULATIONS, 1988.

SOCIAL WELFARE (ABSENCE FROM THE STATE) REGULATIONS, 1988.

The Minister for Social Welfare, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 3 and 129 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 (No. 1 of 1981) hereby makes the following Regulations:--

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Social Welfare (Absence from the State) Regulations, 1988.

2. These Regulations and the Social Welfare (Absence from the State) Regulations, 1967 to 1970 may be cited together as the Social Welfare (Absence from the State) Regulations 1967 to 1988.

3. The provisions of sub-paragraph (a) of section 129 (1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 shall not disqualify a person from receiving unemployment benefit (including any increase thereof) for any period during which that person is absent from the State--

( a ) on holiday in respect of the first two weeks of any such absence in a calendar year, or

( b ) while representing Ireland in an amateur capacity at an international sporting event.

4. The provisions of sub-paragraph (a) of section 129 (2) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 shall not prevent payment of an increase of unemployment benefit in respect of a husband or wife for any period during which the dependent spouse is absent from the State--

( a ) on holiday in respect of the first two weeks of any such absence in a calendar year, or

( b ) while representing Ireland in an amateur capacity at an international sporting event.

5. The provisions of articles 3 (b) and 4 (b) shall only apply where written confirmation is received from the appropriate governing support body confirming the persons participation in the event and the period of the absence abroad.

Given under the Official seal of the Minister for Social Welfare this 1st day of July, 1988.

MICHAEL WOODS

Minister for Social Welfare

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

The purpose of these Regulations is to allow unemployed persons who are entitled to unemployment benefit to continue to be entitled to benefit for certain periods of absence from the State. The period for which benefit will continue to be payable at periods where the person concerned is representing Ireland amateur capacity at an international sporting event or period of up to two weeks holiday in any one year.