Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety

THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 2006 No 212

Notice is hereby given that the Department of the Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 136(1) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, with the approval of the Department of Education, made, on 3rd May 2006, a Statutory Rule entitled the Employment of Children (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 No 212 which will come into operation on 8th June 2006.

These Regulations give effect to Article 8(1) (b) (maximum number of hours which may be worked by children in term time) of Council Directive 94/33/EC on the protection of young people at work.

Regulation 2 replaces regulation 3 of the Employment of Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996, (“the principal Regulations”) placing a limit on the number of hours that a child may be employed in any week in which he is required to attend school.

Regulations 3 and 4 amend regulations 4(b) and 5(b) respectively of the principal Regulations to clarify that the restriction on the number of hours worked by children in these circumstances relates to any week when children are not required to attend school.

Regulation 5 replaces regulation 6 of the principal Regulations, removing the requirement to submit a medical certificate to the appropriate education and library board.

Regulation 6 amends regulation 8 of the principal Regulations making changes consequential upon the substitution of regulation 6 of the principal Regulations.

Further information can be obtained from Child Care Policy Directorate, DHSSPS, Room D.1.4, Castle Buildings, Belfast BT4 3SQ

Copies of the Statutory Rule are available from The Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4PS and on the Office for Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/northernireland