The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Lone Parents) (Availability for Work) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

Amendment of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations

2.—(1) The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(1) are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (12).

(2) In regulation 5 (exceptions to requirement to be available immediately)—

(a)in paragraph (4) after “13” insert “, 13A”;

(b)in paragraph (5)(2) for “or 13” substitute “, 13 or 13A”.

(3) In regulation 6 (employment of at least 40 hours per week)—

(a)in paragraph (1) after “(additional restrictions on availability for certain groups)” insert “, regulation 13A (additional restrictions on availability for lone parents) ”;

(b)in paragraph (2) after “13(3) or (4)” insert “, regulation 13A ”.

(4) In regulation 7(1) (restriction of hours for which a person is available to 40 hours per week) for “regulation 13 (additional restrictions on availability for certain groups) and in regulation 17(2)” substitute “regulations 13 (additional restrictions on availability for certain groups), 13A (additional restrictions on availability for lone parents) and 17(2) (laid off and short-time workers)”.

(5) In regulation 8 (other restrictions on availability) before “or 17(2)” insert “, 13A”.

(6) In regulation 11(1)(b)(3) (part-time students) before “or 17(2)” insert “, 13A”.

(7) In regulation 12(1)(a)(4) (volunteers) before “or 17(2)” insert “, 13A”.

(8) In regulation 13(2) (additional restrictions on availability for certain groups) after “paragraph (3) or (4) of this regulation,” insert “regulation 13A (additional restrictions on availability for lone parents)”.

(9) After regulation 13 insert—

“Additional restrictions on availability for lone parents

13A.  —A lone parent who in any week is responsible for, and a member of the same household as, a child under the age of 13 may restrict his availability for employment to the child’s normal school hours.”.

(10) In regulation 14(2A)(5) (circumstances in which a person is to be treated as available)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (a) before “or 17(2)” insert “, 13A (additional restrictions on availability for lone parents)”, and

(b)in sub-paragraph (a)(i) before “or 17(2)” insert “, 13A”.

(11) In regulation 31(c) (contents of jobseeker’s agreement) after “13” insert “, 13A”.

(12) In regulation 72(2)(a)(6) (good cause for the purposes of Article 21(5)(a) and (6)(c) and (d) of the Order) after “13” insert “, 13A”.