Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 3rd April, 2020.

I, REGINA DOHERTY, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, having regard to the continuing risks to public health arising from COVID-19 and the consequent impact on employers and employees, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 4 (as adapted by the Social Protection (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2017 (No. 366 of 2017)) and 141(2)(a) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (No. 26 of 2005), with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, 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) (Emergency Measures in the Public Interest-Jobseeker’s Allowance) Regulations 2020.

(2) These Regulations and the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 to 2020 shall be construed together as one and may be cited together as the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 to 2020.

Commencement

2. These Regulations come into operation on 18 March 2020.

Emergency measures in the public interest - jobseeker’s allowance

3. The Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 are amended by the insertion of the following article after article 121:

“Emergency measures in the public interest - jobseeker’s allowance

121A. (1) Subject to sub-article (2), section 141(2)(a) shall not apply from 18 March 2020 until the date specified in sub-article (2).

(2) This article shall cease to have effect on 9 May 2020.”

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform consents to the foregoing Regulations.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

27 March, 2020.

PASCHAL DONOHOE,

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

30 March, 2020.

REGINA DOHERTY,

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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

These Regulations temporarily suspend the rule in section 141(2)(a) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 which provides that Jobseeker’s Assistance is paid only from the fourth day of unemployment. The measure is being introduced to mitigate the impact on employers and employees arising from COVID-19 and will apply from the 18^th of March 2020 until the 8^th of May 2020 inclusive. For that period, Jobseeker’s Assistance will be paid from the first day of unemployment.