Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 295

Application of provisions of this Act, etc., by regulations

Section 295 confirms that where the Minister has power to apply provisions of the Social Welfare Act by regulation, that power extends to applying any subsequent amendments or extensions of the Act, regardless of when they were enacted.

• Where the Act gives the Minister power to apply its provisions by regulation, that power automatically includes any later amendments or extensions to the Act.
• This applies to amending legislation passed either before or after 26 March 1989.
• The same principle applies to the Minister's powers under the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act 1982 regarding the rent allowance scheme.
• The effect is to future-proof the Minister's regulatory powers so they keep pace with legislative changes without needing to be individually updated.