(1)  On receipt of an application under section 18 , the Secretary may –

(a) refuse to grant a dispensation excusing the young person from participation in an eligible option; or

(b) subject to subsections (2) and (3) , grant a dispensation fully or partially excusing a young person from participation in an eligible option for the period specified in the application or a shorter period.

(2)  The Secretary may only grant a dispensation fully excusing a young person from participation in an eligible option if satisfied that –

(a) the young person is unable to participate in any eligible option; or

(b) it would be unreasonable in all the circumstances to require the young person to participate in any eligible option.

(3)  The Secretary may only grant a dispensation partially excusing a young person from participation in an eligible option if satisfied that –

(a) the young person is unable to participate in an eligible option at a full-time level; or

(b) it would be unreasonable in all the circumstances to require the young person to participate in any eligible option at a full-time level.

(4)  A dispensation may be granted subject to the conditions stated in it.