Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Just Transition Fund for Agriculture

31.—(1) The Department must by regulations establish a scheme for the administration of a fund to be known as the “Just Transition Fund for Agriculture” for the purpose of providing advice and financial assistance to the agriculture sector to deliver its contribution under proposals and policies for the purposes of section 29.

(2) The regulations may make provision—

(a) for determining eligibility or entitlement for advice or assistance under the scheme;

(b) regarding applications (if any) for advice or assistance under the scheme;

(c) imposing conditions or restrictions in connection with the scheme;

(d) requiring persons to provide specified information, or imposing other obligations on them, in connection with the scheme;

(e) conferring functions on the Department or other public bodies in connection with the scheme;

(f) about steps to be taken to bring the scheme to the attention of persons likely to be eligible for assistance under it;

(g) about the enforcement of obligations imposed by or by virtue of the regulations (which may include a power for the Department to impose financial penalties);

(h) about the general administration of the scheme, including provision for the review of decisions taken under the scheme and for dealing with disputes as to eligibility or entitlement under the scheme;

(i) about any other matter which appears to the Department to be necessary or appropriate for the efficient and effective administration of the scheme.

(3) If the scheme provides for financial assistance, the regulations may make provision—

(a) for the assistance to be given in any form, including, in particular, by way of a grant, loan or guarantee;

(b) for determining the extent of assistance (including for the calculation of payments that are to be made);

(c) for the assistance to be provided subject to such conditions as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with, the scheme;

(d) for those conditions to include (in the case of a grant) conditions for repayment in specified circumstances;

(e) for assistance to be provided—

(i) directly to those entitled to receive it under the scheme; or

(ii) indirectly (for example by being made to a public body on terms which require that body to provide financial assistance to those so entitled).