To ask the Minister for the Economy, in considering the increased fees and travelling costs incurred by students from Northern Ireland studying in Great Britain and Ireland, whether she will extend the £500 Covid Disruption Payment to these students.

The Covid Disruption Payment is for full-time UK and EU students at Northern Ireland publicly funded Higher Education Institutions and full-time Higher Education students at the Further Education Colleges, in recognition of the disruption suffered by students to their studies due to the impact of Covid-19.

I recognise that many Northern Ireland domiciled higher education students are enrolled in universities in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, and that these students will have been adversely impacted by the pandemic, just as those in local institutions have been. It is important to note, however, the funding agreed is for Northern Ireland institutions to support their students. Payments will issue directly from the institutions, not from the Department. It should also be noted the only feasible way in which a payment scheme of this size can be

implemented is to work through the students’ institutions; that is, either their university or further education college. The Department does not have the legal power to make payments through public bodies outside of Northern Ireland, such as a GB or ROI university or the Student Loans Company.

However, Northern Ireland students elsewhere in the UK and the Republic of Ireland are not without support. The other jurisdictions have all recently announced significant increases to their student support packages.

An additional £50m to support students in England was recently announced which is in addition to £20m announced in December. Students in Scotland who are experiencing hardship as a result of coronavirus will be supported by £20m of Government funding. A further £10m has also been allocated to universities and colleges in Scotland for income lost in providing rent rebates. In January, the Welsh Government announced a £40m package of support for students facing financial hardship.

I would encourage any Northern Ireland student studying outside of Northern Ireland to contact their university, should they be in financial hardship, and to avail of the support which is in place there.