AQW 53416/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 30/09/2026
Answered On Date: 06/10/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 52002/22-27, whether she has any plans to do so before the end of the 2022-27 Assembly mandate.

Answer:

The Department has no plans to undertake an assessment of introducing a tools grant for those engaging in practical Further Education (FE) courses before the end of the current Assembly mandate.

The Department continues to provide a range of financial support measures to assist eligible FE students with the costs associated with FE. These include FE Grants and the Hardship Fund, which can help students facing financial difficulties and contribute towards course-related expenses.