Information-sharing in relation to welfare services etc.
121.—(1) The Department, or a person providing services to the Department, may supply relevant information to a qualifying person for prescribed purposes relating to welfare services or rates.
(2) A qualifying person who holds relevant information for a prescribed purpose relating to welfare services may supply that information to—
(a)the Department, or
(b)a person providing services to the Department,
for a prescribed purpose relating to a relevant social security benefit.
(3) A qualifying person who holds relevant information for a prescribed purpose relating to welfare services, housing benefit or rates may—
(a)use the information for another prescribed purpose relating to welfare services, housing benefit or rates;
(b)supply it to another qualifying person for use in relation to the same or another prescribed purpose relating to welfare services, housing benefit or rates.
(4) Relevant information supplied under paragraph (1) or (3) to a qualifying person may be supplied by that person to a person who provides qualifying welfare services for purposes connected with the provision of those services.
(5) In paragraph (4) services are qualifying welfare services if—
(a)a relevant body, or
(b)a person who is a qualifying person by virtue of paragraph (7)(n), contributes or will contribute to the expenditure incurred in their provision.
(6) Paragraphs (1) to (4) do not apply in a case where the supply or use of information is authorised by Article 120.
(7) In this Article “qualifying person” means—
(a)a relevant body;
(b)the Department of Education;
(c)an education and library board;
(d)the Department for Regional Development;
(e)the Department of Justice;
(f)the Housing Executive;
(g)a person authorised to exercise any function of any of the persons specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (f) relating to welfare services;
(h)a person providing to any of the persons specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (f) services relating to welfare services;
(i)DFP;
(j)a person authorised to exercise any function of DFP or the Housing Executive relating to rates;
(k)a person providing to DFP or the Housing Executive services relating to rates;
(l)a person authorised to exercise any function of DFP or the Housing Executive relating to housing benefit;
(m)a person providing to DFP or the Housing Executive services relating to housing benefit;
(n)a prescribed person or a person of a prescribed description.
(8) In this Article—
“DFP” means the Department of Finance and Personnel;
“relevant information” means information relating to—
any relevant social security benefit, or
welfare services;
“relevant social security benefit” has the meaning given in section 115CA(7) of the Administration Act;
“welfare services” includes—
services which provide accommodation, support, assistance, advice or counselling to individuals with particular needs,
any other prescribed services,
and for these purposes “assistance” includes assistance by means of a grant or loan or the provision of goods or services.