The Further Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Functions of boards in relation to institutions of further education

23.—(1) Where—

(a) a board is under a duty, or has power, to provide any benefits or services for pupils; and

(b) the duty is to be performed, or the power may be exercised, both in relation to pupils at institutions of further education and in relation to pupils at grant-aided schools,

the board shall in performing the duty, or exercising the power, treat pupils at institutions of further education no less favourably (whether as to the benefits or services provided or as to the terms on which they are provided) than pupils at grant-aided schools.

(2) A board may, with the approval of the Department, give financial or other assistance to, or provide services to, the governing body of an institution of further education on such terms and conditions as may be arranged between the board and the governing body of the institution.

(3) In the period of three years beginning on the transfer date it shall be the duty of a board and the governing body of an institution of further education to give effect to such arrangements for the provision of services by the board to the governing body in that period as may be approved or determined by the Department.

(4) Where in accordance with arrangements approved under Article 15(2) the governing body of an institution of further education remits the whole or part of any charges which would otherwise be made in respect of meals and refreshments provided to any student, it shall be the duty of the board for the area in which the student is ordinarily resident to pay to the governing body a sum equal to the total of the amounts so remitted.