1. This Order may be cited as the Domestic Energy Efficiency Schemes (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and shall come into operation on the expiration of 2 months from the day on which it is made.
2. The [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
3.—(1) In Article 17 of the [1990 NI 15.] Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (grants for the improvement of energy efficiency in certain dwellings, &c.) for paragraph (1) (power to make grants) there shall be substituted—
“(1) The Department of Economic Development may make or arrange for the making of grants—
(a)towards the cost of carrying out work for the purpose of—
(i)improving the thermal insulation of dwellings, or
(ii)otherwise reducing or preventing the wastage of energy in dwellings (whether in connection with space or water heating, lighting, the use of domestic appliances or otherwise), and
(b)where any such work is, or is to be, carried out, towards the cost of providing persons with advice on reducing or preventing the wastage of energy in dwellings;
but no grants shall be made under this Article except in accordance with regulations made by that Department.” .
(2) In paragraph (10) of that Article, after the definition of “functions”, there shall be inserted—
““materials” includes space and water heating systems;” .