41. (1) The Minister shall develop a performance framework (“Performance Framework”) to provide the Agency with policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters for the preparation of its corporate plan.

F30[(1A) The Performance Framework shall include such policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters for the preparation of the corporate plan of the Agency as the Minister for Education, in respect of his or her education welfare functions, shall provide to the Minister.

(1B) The Minister for Education shall provide the Minister with policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters referred to in subsection (1A) within 4 months before the end of the period to which the current corporate plan relates.]

(2) The Minister shall provide the Performance Framework to the Board within 6 months of the establishment of the Agency and thereafter 3 months before the end of the period to which the current corporate plan relates in line with the requirements of the Agency to prepare a corporate plan for each 3 year period.

(3) The Minister may consult the Minister for Health F31[, the Minister for Education or the Minister for Justice] before developing a Performance Framework which includes matters which relate to the functions of those Ministers.