8. For regulation 75 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (interpretation) there shall be substituted the following regulation—
75.—(1) For the purposes of Article 21 of the Order (circumstances in which a jobseeker’s allowance is not payable) and of this Part—
(a)“an employment programme” means any one of the following programmes, provided in pursuance of arrangements made by or on behalf of the Department of Economic Development under section 1 of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950(1) and for which only persons who are aged 18 years or over and less than 26 years immediately prior to entry may be eligible, known as—
(i)the Employment Option of the New Deal, being a programme which lasts for any individual for up to 26 weeks and which includes for that individual employed earner’s employment, training and support;
(ii)the Voluntary Sector Option of the New Deal, being a programme which lasts for any individual for up to 6 months and which includes for that individual employed earner’s employment or a work placement combined in either case with training, support and job search;
(iii)the Environmental Task Force Option of the New Deal, being a programme which lasts for any individual for up to 6 months and which includes for that individual employed earner’s employment or a work placement combined in either case with training, support and job search.
(b)“a training scheme” means—
(i)a scheme for training for which persons aged less than 18 years are eligible and for which persons aged 18 years or over and less than 25 years may be eligible, provided in Northern Ireland directly or indirectly by a Training Organisation pursuant to its arrangement with the Department of Economic Development (whether that arrangement is known as an Operating Agreement or by any other name), and
(ii)the scheme, provided in pursuance of arrangements made by or on behalf of the Department of Economic Development under section 1 of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950 and for which only persons who are aged 18 years or over and less than 26 years immediately prior to entry may be eligible, known as the Full-Time Education and Training Option of the New Deal, being a scheme which lasts for any individual for up to one year and which includes for that individual some or all of the following, namely education, training, work experience and support in job search skills.
(2) In Article 21 of the Order, except paragraph (2), and in this Part, except regulation 69 (prescribed period) and the first occasion on which the word occurs in regulation 72(5A)(a)(2), “week” means any period of 7 consecutive days.
(3) In Article 21(2) of the Order, regulation 69 and the first occasion on which the word occurs in regulation 72(5A)(a), “week” means benefit week.
(4) In Article 21 of the Order, except paragraph (9), and in this Part, “employment” means employed earner’s employment other than such employment in which a person is employed whilst participating in an employment programme falling within paragraph (1)(a); and “employed earner” shall be construed accordingly.
(5) In Article 21(9) of the Order, “employment” means employed earner’s employment.”.
1950 c. 29 (N.I.); section 1 was amended by Article 3 of the Employment and Training (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (S.I. 1988/1087 (N.I. 10)) and Article 5 of the Industrial Training (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (S.I. 1990/1200 (N.I. 8))
Paragraph (5A) was inserted by regulation 5(4)(b) of S.R. 1997 No. 130