The Education (Student Support) (2005 Regulations) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Education (Student Support) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (the “2005 Regulations”). Those Regulations provide for support for students taking designated higher education courses.

The 2005 Regulations apply in respect of academic years beginning on or after 1st September 2005. Regulation 18 of the 2005 Regulations deals with the award of a childcare grant to eligible students. Regulation 4 of these Regulations amends regulation 18 of the 2005 Regulations so that the maximum weekly amount of the childcare grant is increased.

Schedule 2 to the 2005 Regulations sets out the categories of students eligible for student support. These Regulations amend the eligibility criteria in paragraph 9 of Schedule 2.

Schedule 5 to the 2005 Regulations sets out the method for assessing a student’s contribution towards his support. Regulation 6 of these Regulations amends paragraphs 5(3) and 5(4) of Schedule 5 to the 2005 Regulations which set out the circumstances in which income can be re-assessed so that it is no longer necessary for a drop in the parent’s income to be as a result of an event beyond his control. Regulation 6 also amends paragraph 5(3) so that where there is a drop in the parent’s income, it is the parent’s income rather than the household income which may be re-assessed for the current financial year.