(1)  A young person, or a parent of a young person, may apply to the Secretary for a dispensation.

(2)  The application is to –

(a) be in the approved form; and

(b) state the grounds on which the dispensation is sought; and

(c) state the period for which the dispensation is sought; and

(d) if the application is made by a young person, include the signed consent of his or her parent; and

(e) be lodged with the Qualifications Authority.

(3)  Subsection (2)(d) does not apply if the Secretary is satisfied it would be inappropriate in all the circumstances to require the signed consent of a parent.

(4)  The applicant is to provide any other relevant information reasonably required by the Secretary by notice provided to the applicant.

(5)  If the applicant fails to comply with a notice provided under subsection (4) , the application lapses.

(6)  The Secretary must decide the application as soon as practicable.