15.— (1) The Minister may, subject to such conditions as he or she considers appropriate, in each financial year advance to an awarding authority such sum as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas and which is not greater than the sum required for the purpose of defraying expenditure incurred by the awarding authority in the payment of a grant.

(2) The Minister may, subject to such conditions as he or she considers appropriate, in each financial year advance to an awarding authority, where the awarding authority is F23[an education and training board], such sum as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas and which is not greater than the sum required for the purpose of defraying expenditure incurred by the awarding authority in the performance of any of its functions (other than the payment of a grant).

(3) The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may, subject to such conditions as he or she considers appropriate, in each financial year advance to an awarding authority, where the awarding authority is a local authority, such sum as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas and which is not greater than the sum required for the purpose of defraying expenditure incurred by the awarding authority in the performance of any of its functions (other than the payment of a grant).

(4) The relevant Minister may, subject to such conditions as he or she considers appropriate, in each financial year advance to an awarding authority, where the awarding authority is an appointed awarding authority, such sum as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas and which is not greater than the sum required for the purpose of defraying expenditure incurred by the awarding authority in the performance of any of its functions (other than the payment of a grant).