Financial Assistance Act (Northern Ireland) 2009

Schemes for financial assistance

3.—(1) A scheme contained in regulations under section 1 or 2 may include provision for, or in connection with–

(a) determining eligibility for financial assistance under the scheme;

(b) determining the form and extent of financial assistance to be provided under the scheme;

(c) determining by which department the financial assistance is to be provided;

(d) applications (if any) for assistance under the scheme, including provision for any such applications–

(i) to be made in a specified manner to a specified person;

(ii) to be made by a specified date;

(iii) to contain specified information;

(e) imposing conditions or restrictions in connection with the operation of the scheme;

(f) imposing functions on public bodies in connection with the implementation of the scheme;

(g) securing that steps are taken to bring the scheme to the attention of persons likely to be eligible for assistance under the scheme;

(h) the general administration of the scheme, including provision for the review of decisions taken under the scheme and for dealing with disputes as to eligibility or entitlement under the scheme;

(i) any other matter which appears to the relevant department to be necessary or appropriate for the efficient and effective administration of the scheme.

(2) A scheme contained in regulations under section 1 or 2 may provide for the scheme to cease to have effect at the end of a specified period from the date on which the regulations are made; but (without prejudice to the operation of section 28 of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33)) the scheme may include such saving provisions as the relevant department thinks necessary or appropriate for dealing with matters or proceedings under the scheme which are outstanding at the time the scheme ceases to have effect.