The Department for the Economy has made a Statutory Rule entitled “The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024” (S.R. 2024 No. 157), which will come into operation on 14th August 2024.

This rule amends the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009. It reflects changes to the Immigration Rules to introduce a designated route for entry to the UK for persons who have been abandoned overseas due to domestic violence. The amendments are to be extended to include children of those who are victims of domestic violence or who are bereaved partners. The amendments also reflect changes to the Immigration Rules to introduce a designated route for entry to the UK for persons under the new Ukrainian Permission Extension Scheme.

This rule is also amended to provide for persons in the student eligibility categories, which require a student to have settled status, to become eligible for student support when they acquire their settled status during the course of an academic year. It further amends the Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) Regulations 2007. This rule also makes some necessary corrections.

Copies of the Rule may be purchased from the Stationery Office at www.tsoshop.co.uk or by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0870 600 5522 or viewed online at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr

Conn O'Prey

31/07/2024