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Amendment of section 7 of Principal Act.
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4.— Section 7 of the Principal Act is amended—
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(a) in subsection (1), by the substitution of the following paragraphs for paragraphs (b) and (c):
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“(b) to support the provision of or, where the Board considers it appropriate, to provide directly, advocacy services to individuals, in particular those with a disability, that would assist them in identifying and understanding their needs and options and in securing their entitlements to social services,
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(bb) to provide, or to arrange for the provision of, a Personal Advocacy Service to qualifying persons and, in so doing, the Board shall take account of the following:
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(i) the financial resources of the Board; and
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(ii) whether qualifying persons can obtain advocacy services otherwise than under this Act,
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(c) to support, promote and develop—
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(i) greater accessibility, co-ordination and public awareness of social services, and
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(ii) the provision and dissemination of integrated information in relation to such services by statutory bodies and voluntary bodies,”;
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and
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(b) by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (1):
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“(1A) The Board shall, subject to the approval of the Minister, determine the terms on which and the conditions subject to which it may—
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(a) support the provision of information, advice or advocacy services under subsection (1), and
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(b) provide financial or other resources to a voluntary body under subsection (1)(e) or to a body specified by the Minister under subsection (1)(h),
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and different terms and conditions may apply under paragraphs (a) and (b) and in relation to different types of bodies.
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(1B) The Board shall, in determining the terms and conditions under subsection (1A), have regard to the objective of it promoting the provision of an integrated, reliable and comprehensive information service of the highest quality.
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(1C) The Board may, for the purpose of providing the support referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1A) or the financial or other resources referred to in paragraph (b) of that subsection, request the body or person concerned to furnish it with information in such form and at such times as it may require.
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(1D) The Board may refuse to provide the support referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1A), or the financial or other resources referred to in paragraph (b) of that subsection, if the body or person concerned does not comply with the terms and conditions determined under that subsection or if it fails or refuses to furnish the Board with any information requested of the body or person concerned under subsection (1C).
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(1E) The Board, in performing the functions conferred on it by or under this section, shall have regard to the need for it to co-operate with statutory bodies and voluntary bodies.”.
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