9.— (1) A person to whom section 6 applies may make an application to the Executive in the specified form for State support under the Scheme.

(2) It shall be a condition of every application for State support that the applicant, and in the case where the applicant is a member of a couple, the applicant and his or her partner, shall furnish all information which the Executive may request in connection with the consideration of the application.

(3) The Executive may refuse to consider or further consider an application for State support if—

(a) the application does not comply with subsection (1), or

(b) the applicant or his or her partner fails to provide the Executive with such information as may be requested by the application form or such additional information as the Executive may reasonably require to enable it to determine the application.

(4) Where the Executive refuses under subsection (3) to consider or further consider an application for State support, it shall, not later than 10 working days after the refusal, give the applicant notice in writing of the decision and the reasons for the decision.

(5) Any person who knowingly, or recklessly, gives the Executive information which is false or misleading in a material particular in, with, or in connection with, an application for State support is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both.