AQW 11795/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 09/12/2020
Answered On Date: 23/12/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) when will she release guidance on the return to campus for semester two for students in higher education; (ii) how does the she plan to engage with student representatives over the development of these plans; and (iii) what communication has her Department had with other jurisdictions in the UK around the return to campus for semester two.

Answer:

The Department for Health has lead responsibility for guidance in relation to the safety of students and the wider public.

There are a number of cross-cutting issues related to student travel and welfare and the Executive Office has been asked to co-ordinate these plans, with a Task and Finish Group established to do so, which my officials have been involved in, alongside a variety of other Departments.

There is guidance, approved by my Health and Executive Office colleagues, for students travelling at Christmas time and the NUS-SUI were given sight of this draft guidance for comment. The feedback provided included a call for clarity in relation to the return which has been fed back into the TEO led task group.

It is intended they will be consulted, in regards to any further guidance, to provide messaging to students to best ensure compliance.

Departmental officials have been meeting with the other devolved administrations twice weekly to discuss plans and to ensure consistency of message (where possible).