(1) Section 290 of the Principal Act is amended -

(a) in subsection (1) by inserting ", subject to section 290B," after "may be withheld",

(b) in subsection (3)(a) by inserting ", other than any functions performed by a local authority under section 23 (amended by section 8 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992" after "authority", and

(c) by inserting the following subsections after subsection (3):

"(4) On and after the commencement of section 15 of the Social Welfare Act 2012, an amount of benefit under this section shall not be withheld where the purpose of such withholding of benefit is the separate payment, by the Minister, of rent to a local authority pursuant to this section and regulations made under it.

(5) Nothing in subsection (4) shall affect any withholding of benefit under this section where -

(a) the purpose of such withholding of benefit is to provide for the separate payment, by the Minister, of rent to be paid by a beneficiary to a local authority, pursuant to this section and regulations made under it, and