Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

51.—(1) Schedule 9 is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 1, for the words from “The Ministry” to “Boards to” substitute “The Department may, in accordance with paragraphs 1A to 5,”.

(3) After paragraph 1 insert—

“1A.   Loans to practitioners providing primary medical services (GP loans”) are to be made in accordance with a scheme that is provided for in regulations made, with the approval of the Department of Finance, by the Department.”.

(4) In paragraph 2—

(a) for the words from “Without prejudice” to “may make” substitute “Regulations under paragraph 1A may include”;

(b) omit sub-paragraph (a);

(c) for sub-paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) the guaranteeing by the Department of Finance of the payment of interest on, and the repayment of the principal of, any loan raised by the Department for the purpose of making GP loans;”;

(d) in sub-paragraph (c), for “loans made under the order” substitute “GP loans”;

(e) for sub-paragraph (d) substitute—

“(d) authorising the Department to hold and dispose of any land or property conveyed to it as security for a GP loan;”;

(f) in sub-paragraph (e), for “loans under the order” substitute “GP loans”.

(5) For paragraph 3 substitute—

“3.   No regulations may be made under paragraph 1A unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Assembly.”.

(6) Omit paragraph 4.

(7) In paragraph 5—

(a) for “Where an order under this Schedule authorises the Ministry of Finance” substitute “Where regulations under paragraph 1A authorise the Department of Finance”;

(b) for “the Health and Social Services Boards” substitute “the Department”;

(c) in sub-paragraph (a)—

(i) for “order” substitute “regulations”;

(ii) for “£6,000,000” substitute “a sum specified in the scheme”;

(d) in sub-paragraph (b)—

(i) for “the Ministry” substitute “the Department”;

(ii) for “the order” substitute “the regulations”;

(e) in sub-paragraph (c), for “the Ministry” substitute “the Department”;

(f) in sub-paragraph (d)—

(i) for “the Health and Social Services Board” substitute “the Department”;

(ii) for “the Ministry of Finance” substitute “the Department of Finance”;

(iii) for “that Ministry” (in each place) substitute “the Department of Finance”.