AQW 39163/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 27/01/2026
Answered On Date: 10/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any engagement her Department has had with the Department for Communities, to allow students to access universal credit and other forms of low income support.

Answer:

Officials from my Department have engaged with the Department for Communities to ensure that participation on an Assured Skills Academy would not have a detrimental impact on an individual’s award of Universal Credit.

Additionally, a meeting was held between the two Departments on 4 October 2024 with regards to Further Education Student Support access, and whether those students from households claiming Universal Credit and other forms of low-income support were adversely impacted.