2

Housing benefit is to be paid in such manner as is prescribed, and regulations may, in particular, provide for—

a

a payment or payments by the Housing Executive or the Department of Finance and Personnel, as the case may be, to the person entitled to it (E), to some other person on E's behalf or in respect of a liability which E has,

b

a reduction in the amount of any payments which E is liable to make to the Housing Executive or the Department of Finance and Personnel, as the case may be, by way of rent or rates, or

c

such a payment or payments and such a reduction.

2A

In any statutory provision (whenever passed or made) “pay” in relation to housing benefit includes discharge in any manner prescribed under subsection (2) above.

2B

Subsection (2) above does not affect any power under section 5 above to make provision in relation to the payment of benefit.