AQW 48765/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 16/06/2026
Answered On Date: 22/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) whether the Review of Higher Education Funding considered Northern Ireland’s (a) future workforce requirements; (b) demographic trends; (c) skills shortages; (d) research capacity; (e) regional economic needs; and (f) long-term economic growth objectives; (ii) how any considerations informed the review’s conclusions; and (iii) the reason why the review was not conducted as a broader strategic review of higher education, skills and economic development, similar to approaches undertaken in Scotland.

Answer:

The first stage of a Higher Education Funding Review, an independent Financial Needs Assessment of the local Higher Education Institutions, has been completed. A summary of the report was published on the Departmental website on 18 March 2026.

The Financial Needs Assessment was commissioned as the first phase of the wider Review of Higher Education Funding. The wider Review is anticipated to take 18 months to complete. This timescale is subject to a number of factors.