AQW 13291/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 25/01/2021
Answered On Date: 18/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she has any plans to provide financial support for higher education students who continue to pay rent and other costs related to their studies, while unable to attend due to restrictions related to COVID-19.

Answer:

I am acutely aware that students in local higher education institutions have experienced significant disruption since the onset of the pandemic and that this continues to have an impact. In response I have brought forward a £37.7 million financial support package for students and the higher education sector, which I announced on 4 February 2021. The package includes:

 A one-off discretionary payment of £500 to all students from the UK and EU who are in full time higher education in Northern Ireland, whether that is in a university or further education college setting

 £8.5million to address student financial hardship, digital poverty and to support student unions with mental health provision;

 £4.1million for the provision of a safe working, learning and research environment; and

 £3.1million to compensate universities for lost income arising from rental pauses and releasing students from accommodation contracts.

I have listened to the many concerns raised with me by students, their representative bodies, family members, educators and institutions and will continue to do all I can to help them regain the learning experience they deserve.