AQW 14468/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 11/02/2021
Answered On Date: 13/04/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 14053/17-22, whether this funding is intended to allow universities to end accommodation contracts with any student that requests this going forward.

Answer:

I have secured additional funding to address lost income for the universities in relation to them carrying out rental pauses and contract releases. This funding is available to the universities for such pauses and releases up to 31 March 2021. Thereafter, ultimately it will be for the individual institution to determine whether they should continue. However, it is anticipated that rental 'pauses' may continue until the end of this semester.