Supply Chain Development Programme Grant Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

Department’s powers

This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum

13.—(1) The powers conferred by regulations 11(1) and 12 are—

(a)to withhold, or to direct the agent to withhold, the whole or any part of the financial support payable to the beneficiary; and

(b)to recover on demand, or to direct the agent to recover on demand, the whole or any part of the financial support already paid to the beneficiary.

(2) Where all the circumstances in which the powers conferred by regulation 11(1) and specified in paragraph (1) have become exercisable are such as were intended by the beneficiary or as to which the beneficiary was reckless, the Department may require, or direct the agent to require, the beneficiary to pay to the Department or, as the case may be, to the agent an additional sum equal to no more than 10 per cent of the financial support paid or payable to him.

(3) Where the Department takes any step specified in paragraph (1) it may also serve in writing or direct the agent to serve in writing on the beneficiary a notice suspending or terminating the approval.

(4) Where, under paragraph (3), the Department or, as the case may be, the agent treats the approval as terminated, the Department may—

(a)by notice in writing served on the beneficiary prohibit the beneficiary from making an application for the approval of expenditure in connection with an operation for such period (not exceeding two years) from the date of the termination as may be specified in the notice; or

(b)direct the agent to serve a notice on the beneficiary prohibiting the beneficiary from making an application for the approval of expenditure in connection with an operation for such period (not exceeding two years) from the date of the termination as may be specified in the notice.

(5) Before taking any steps specified in paragraph (1), (2), (3) or (4) the Department shall—

(a)give to the beneficiary a written explanation of the reasons for the steps proposed to be taken;

(b)afford the beneficiary an opportunity to make written representations within such time as the Department considers reasonable; and

(c)consider any such representations.