AQW 23639/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 28/02/2025
Answered On Date: 07/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, in light of his decision to make it compulsory for children to remain in education or training until they are 18 years old, to detail any work he has undertaken with the Minister for the Economy to review the Education Maintenance Allowance.

Answer:

The Minister for the Economy and I have not had any discussions on uplifting the Education Maintenance Allowance payment for young people in Northern Ireland.

I recognise that the Education Maintenance Allowance provides valuable support to enable young people to remain in education or training and my officials will continue to discuss support for these young people with DfE officials.