The Discretionary Support (Amendment) (Fuel as a Grant) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Overview

The Committee for Communities has been asked to consider the following proposed statutory rule and associated documents provided by the Department for Communities at its meeting on 5 November 2026: 

The Discretionary Support (Amendment) (Fuel as a Grant) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

To assist the Committee with its work, it is seeking views on whether the information provided by the department is accurate, complete, and whether it may result in any unintended or unanticipated consequences. 

The Department for Communities has proceeded to lay the draft rule.  Accordingly, while the Committee may also proceed with its consideration of the proposal prior to receiving your response, any views submitted before the survey closes will still be considered as appropriate, in accordance with the procedures available to the Committee.

It is open to any individual or organisation to respond. 

About Proposals for Statutory Rules 

In general terms, primary legislation provides the framework for the law and statutory rules, also referred to as delegated legislation, contain the details. 

Assembly Committees are responsible for both policy scrutiny and technical scrutiny of statutory rules.

Before a statutory rule is laid in the Assembly, the Department submits details of the proposal to the Committee with a draft copy of the proposed statutory rule.

Why your views matter

The Committee is seeking views at the proposal stage, because it provides the only opportunity for committees to seek changes to the draft legislation before it is laid in the Assembly. Once laid, a committee cannot amend or adapt a statutory rule - it can only recommend that the Assembly supports or rejects the rule as a whole.