The Assembly Learning Grants (European Institutions) (Wales) Regulations 2007

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Assembly Learning Grants (European Institutions) (Wales) Regulations 2006 (the “2006 Regulations”).

The 2006 Regulations provide for support for students taking designated higher education courses at the Bologna Center, the College of Europe or the European University Institute in respect of an academic year beginning on or after 1 September 2006. The 2006 Regulations also make provision for support for certain students taking courses at these institutions in respect of the academic year beginning on or after 1 September 2005 but before 1 September 2006.

The 2006 Regulations apply in relation to Wales.

Regulation 5 amends regulation 21 of the 2006 Regulations so as to increase the maximum amount of the grant for fees payable to students attending designated courses at the Bologna Center from 22,700 euro to 24,100 euro. Regulation 6 amends regulation 25(4)(b) of the 2006 Regulations so as to increase the amount of the grant for living costs payable to students attending designated courses at the European University Institute from 12,840 euro to 13,000 euro.

Regulations 3, 4 and 7 correct typographical and drafting errors in the 2006 Regulations.

These Regulations also provide for support for eligible students taking designated higher education courses at the Bologna Center, the College of Europe or the European University Institute in respect of an academic year beginning on or after 1 September 2007.

A grant for fees is available for one eligible student at the Bologna Center.

A grant for fees, grants for living and other costs, a disabled students' allowance and a grant for dependants are available for up to two eligible students at the College of Europe.

Grants for living and other costs, a disabled students' allowance and a grant for dependants are available for one eligible student at the European University Institute.

The Regulations set out the eligibility criteria for the grants, the application procedure and the method for calculating the amount of grant payable. The Regulations also set out the arrangements for payment of the grants and recovery of any overpayments.

Provision is also made in these Regulations to comply with article 9 of Decision No 1/80 of the Association Council of 19 September 1980 on the development of the Association between the European Community and Turkey.

The Association Council was created by the agreement establishing an association between the European Community and Turkey which was signed in Ankara on 12 September 1963 by the Republic of Turkey on the one hand and the Member States of the EEC and the Community on the other. The agreement was concluded, approved and confirmed on behalf of the Community by Council Decision 64/732/EEC of 23 December 1963 (OJ 1973 c. 113 p. 1).

Article 9 of Decision No 1/80 of the Association Council of 19th September 1980 on the development of the association provides: “Turkish children residing legally in a Member State of the Community with their parents who are or have been legally employed in that member State, shall be admitted to courses of general education, apprenticeship and vocational training under the same educational entry qualifications as the children of nationals of that member State. They may in that Member State be eligible to benefit from the advantages provided for under the national legislation in this area.”.

These Regulations revoke the 2006 Regulations to the extent set out in regulations 4 to 6.