AQW 44842/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 27/04/2026
Answered On Date: 11/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any discussions she has had with Student Finance NI about expanding the criteria for accessing the childcare grant to include PhD students.

Answer:

Such expansion of the criteria would require policy and legislative change, as well as engagement with Student Finance NI.

Expanding Childcare Grant to PhD students will be considered within the scope of the future Review of Higher Education Funding.