Section 232F (inserted by section 13 of the Social Welfare Act, 1984) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (3) of the following subsection:
"(3) The Minister may by regulations vary -
(a) the amounts specified in section 232B, and
(b) the percentage rate specified in section 232C(1),
but any such variation shall not reduce the amounts or the percentage rate applicable immediately before the commencement of such regulations.".