4.—(1) The Department shall have the power to do all that is necessary or expedient for the purposes of the exercise of its duty under Article 3 of the 1989 Order in so far as it relates to further education.
(2) In particular, the Department may—
(a)make grants, loans and other payments in accordance with Article 5—
(i)to the governing bodies of institutions of further education; or
(ii)to others for the purposes of, or in connection with, the provision of further education;
(b)establish a new institution of further education in accordance with Article 6;
(c)amalgamate two or more institutions of further education to form a single new institution of further education in accordance with Article 7;
(d)recognise an educational establishment as an institution of q further education in accordance with Article 8;
(e)provide for the discontinuance of an institution of further education in accordance with Article 9.
(3) In discharging its functions under this Order, the Department shall have regard to the requirements of persons over compulsory school age who have learning difficulties.