44.—(1) The Authority shall prepare and submit to the Minister for his or her approval with or without amendment, at least 2 months before the commencement of each year, a work programme relating to the discharge of its functions, including—

(a) having regard to the strategy statement, the objectives of the Authority for that year and its strategy for achieving those objectives,

(b) the priorities of the Authority for that year, having regard to those objectives and its available resources, and

(c) any other matters that the Minister may from time to time specify when issuing directions or guidelines under subsection (2).

(2) The Minister may, from time to time, issue directions or guidelines to the Authority concerning the preparation of the work programme and the Authority shall comply with those directions and prepare the work programme in accordance with those guidelines.

(3) A work programme is deemed to be adopted when it is approved by the Minister.