Explanatory note

This Order amends the New Deal (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 to provide, additionally, that, for the purpose of Part I of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 and the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 and of the statutory provisions specified in the Schedule to the Order, a person using facilities provided in pursuance of the employment or employment-related training programme known as “the Employment Option” under the arrangements known as the New Deal otherwise than as an employee and receiving or entitled to receive from the Department of Economic Development a training allowance in connection with the use of those facilities shall be treated as participating in arrangements for training under section 1 of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950. Any payment made to such a person in connection with his use of those facilities other than a trading receipt shall be treated as a payment of training allowance made in respect of such training.

The effect of the New Deal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1998 in relation to participants in the Full-time Education and Training Option, the Voluntary Sector Option or the Environmental Task Force Option of the New Deal is unchanged by these amendments.