The Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Payment of food outlet

17.—(1) A food outlet who wishes to receive payment shall submit to the Department a claim in writing that includes the information set out in Schedule 4 together with the vouchers to which the claim relates.

(2) If the Department is satisfied that the information provided by the food outlet pursuant to paragraph (1) is accurate and complete, it shall pay the food outlet an amount equal to the value indicated on the face of each voucher submitted.

(3) The Department may pay a food outlet in respect of a greater or lesser number of vouchers than are indicated as included with a claim made pursuant to paragraph (1) where it is clear on the face of the documents that an error has been made.

(4) The Department shall not be obliged to make a payment in respect of a voucher included with a claim pursuant to paragraph (1) if the claim is received by the Department more than six months after the period of validity on the face of the voucher.

(5) If the Department is satisfied that—

(a) a food outlet submitted a claim in writing together with a voucher pursuant to paragraph (1); and

(b) the food outlet received the voucher in exchange for Healthy Start food provided to a beneficiary in accordance with the Healthy Start scheme;

the Department may pay the food outlet an amount equal to the value indicated on the face of the voucher, notwithstanding that the claim has not been received.