Regulations.

28.—(1) The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, make regulations for the payment out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas of allowances to persons who are, on 25 July 2002, tenants of dwellings to which section 8(1) relates—

(a) whose entitlement to retain possession of the dwellings concerned subsists after 25 July 2002 by operation of law or otherwise,

(b) whose rent—

(i) is determined in accordance with such terms and conditions, or

(ii) is less than such amount,

as the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs may specify in those regulations,

and

(c) who would otherwise suffer hardship by reason of increases in the rents of their dwellings.

(2) Entitlement to an allowance and the amount and the payment thereof shall be subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified in the regulations.

(3) Subsections (2) and (3) of section 4 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993, shall have effect in relation to regulations under this section and the regulations may apply (with or without modification), or make provisions corresponding (with or without modification) to, any other provisions of, or any provisions made under, that Act.

(4) Any expenses incurred by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs or any other Minister in carrying this section into effect shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.”.