Directions as to functions of special agencyN.I.
4.—(1) The Department may direct a special agency to exercise on its behalf such functions with respect to the administration of such health and [F1social care] as are specified in the directions.
(2) The Department may give directions to a special agency with respect to the exercise of any functions exercisable by virtue of paragraph (1).
(3) The Department may direct that Article 18 of the principal Order (scheme as to exercise of functions) shall (with the appropriate modifications) apply to a special agency as it applies to [F2the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being] .
(4) It shall be the duty of a special agency to comply with any directions given to it under this Article.
(5) Directions under this Article shall be in writing[F3 and section 17(2) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to a direction under this Article as if the direction were a statutory instrument].
(6) In Article 3(3)( a ) of the Health and Medicines (Northern Ireland) Order 1988F4 (directions as to exercise by other bodies of Department's powers for financing health services) after the words “principal Order” there shall be inserted the words “ or the Health and Personal Social Services (Special Agencies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 ” .
F1Words in art. 4(1) substituted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 (c. 1), ss. 32, 34(3), Sch. 6 para. 1(1)(a) (with Sch. 6 para. 1(2)(3)); S.R. 2009/114, art. 2
F2Words in art. 4(3) substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 135; S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)