AQW 48875/22-27 Written question to the Minister for the Economy
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) whether her Department has reviewed the current funding arrangements for students, ordinarily resident in the Republic of Ireland, studying at Northern Ireland higher education institutions; (ii) any consideration that has been given to alternative models, including arrangements whereby funding follows the student from their home jurisdiction; and (iii) whether any discussions have taken place with the Irish Government, regarding the future sustainability and fairness of the current arrangements.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 17 June 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 17 June 2026
- Answer due by
- 2 July 2026
- Answered
- 22 June 20265 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Under the Common Travel Area, students from the south are treated as home students for the purposes of tuition fees and teaching grant. As such, they are supported through the Department’s funding model, including the provision of a teaching grant to institutions, and their numbers count towards the Maximum Student Number (MaSN). The Department monitors the operation of these arrangements on an ongoing basis.
Both I and my officials continue to engage with counterparts in the south on a range of issues relating to cross-border student mobility, including funding. I remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure that arrangements are sustainable and fair.