(1) The Minister may -

(a) with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, develop and implement a scheme, including a scheme developed and implemented in conjunction with or with the co-operation of another Minister of the Government, a body established by or under statute or any other person, that facilitates and provides assistance for -

(i) the provision of income support,

(ii) generating or maintaining employment and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing such assistance includes -

(I) assistance for the purposes of supporting, managing, administering, planning and supervising such employment, and

(II) financial assistance as may be determined from time to time having regard to the purpose and requirements of the scheme concerned,

and

(iii) any service that provides employment or opportunities for creating employment either generally or in relation to communities or areas and includes any such service the purpose of which is to benefit communities or areas,

(b) maintain a scheme referred to in paragraph (a),

(c) expand, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, a scheme referred to in paragraph (a), and