The Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

New regulation 12A Regulations (requirement to provide information or evidence)

12.  After regulation 12 insert—

“Requirement to provide information or evidence

12A.— (1) The Department may require a person to take reasonable steps to provide such information or evidence as may reasonably be needed in connection with the administration of the Healthy Start scheme.

(2) A person to whom a person is required to provide information or evidence under paragraph (1), must produce to that person evidence of his authority from the Department, if requested.

(3) Where a person fails to produce the information or evidence required the Department may suspend the issue of vouchers or credit to the person until—

(a) the information or evidence requested is provided;

(b) the Department is satisfied of the person’s entitlement to benefit pursuant to these Regulations or the person’s compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Start scheme; or

(c) the person ceases to be entitled to benefit under these Regulations (whether in accordance with paragraph (4) or another provision, as to which see regulation 9).

(4) Where the issue of vouchers or credit has been suspended under paragraph (3) for a period of 16 consecutive weeks, the beneficiary ceases to be entitled to benefit under these Regulations.”.