(1) The Principal Act is amended -

(a) in section 58 -

(i) in subsection (4) (b) by substituting "20" for "16" in each place where it occurs, and

(ii) by inserting the following after subsection (7):

"(8) Regulations may provide for the post-ponement of the payment of adoptive benefit in the event of the hospitalisation of the child in respect of whose adoption the person is entitled to that benefit, subject to the conditions and in the circumstances that may be prescribed.",

and

(b) in section 60(1) (a) by substituting "80 per cent" for "75 per cent".

(2)

(a) Subsection (1) (a) (ii) and (b) of this section come into operation on 1 January 2006.

(b) Subsection (1) (a) (i) of this section comes into operation on such day as the Minister may appoint by order.