Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 6th February, 2024.

I, HEATHER HUMPHREYS, Minister for Social Protection, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 4 (amended by section 10 of the Social Welfare Act 2020 (No. 30 of 2020)), and 62 (9) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (No. 26 of 2005), hereby make the following Regulations:

Citation and construction

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) (Amendment) (No. 2) (Days not to be treated as days of unemployment) Regulations 2024.

(2) These Regulations and the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 to 2024 shall be construed together as one and may be cited together as the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 to 2024.

Days not to be treated as days of unemployment

2. Article 44(1)(b)(iii) (amended by article 2 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) (Amendment) (No. 10) (Days not to be treated as days of unemployment) Regulations 2023 ( S.I. No. 512 of 2023 )) of the Social Welfare Consolidated Claims Payments and Control Regulations 2007 is amended by the substitution of “and will be reviewed every 13 weeks.” for “and is paid for a period of 13 weeks, which can be extended by a further period not exceeding 13 weeks by the Minister.”.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

31 January, 2024.

HEATHER HUMPHREYS,

Minister for Social Protection.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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

Section 62 (9) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides that the Minister may make Regulations prescribing circumstances whereby certain work type situations are, or are not, to be treated for the purposes of jobseeker’s benefit as days of unemployment or of incapacity for work.

Article 44(1)(b) of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 specifies certain work type situations which despite being analogous to employment may allow a person to qualify for jobseeker’s benefit. In other words, the person is treated as unemployed.

The Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) (Amendment) (No. 8) (Days not to be treated as days of unemployment) Regulations 2023 ( S.I. No. 362 of 2023 ) amended article 44 to add another work type situation whereby a person may qualify for jobseeker’s benefit. This is the situation where, under an agreement sponsored by the Workplace Relations Commission or Labour Court, that person is retained without any undertaking of work for that person in their occupation, and that person’s income from that retention of employment does not exceed €144 a week for a period of 13 weeks.

The Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) (Amendment) (No. 10) (Days not to be treated as days of unemployment) Regulations 2023 ( S.I. No. 512 of 2023 ) extended this period for another 13 weeks.

These regulations allow that a person’s income from that retention of employment does not exceed €144 a week for an indefinite period subject to a review every 13 weeks.