AQW 47298/22-27 Written question to the Minister for the Economy
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail the last time Education Maintenance Allowance was increased in Northern Ireland.
Asked by Connie Egan MLA on 28 May 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 28 May 2026
- Answer due by
- 12 June 2026
- Answered
- 2 June 20265 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme in the North was last reformed in the 2013/14 academic year. These reforms included the introduction of a single weekly payment of £30, the removal of lower payment bands and the introduction of the current household income thresholds.
Since that time, the weekly EMA payment has remained unchanged. Officials from my Department are working with their counterparts in the Department of Education (DE) to ensure that EMA continues to be appropriately targeted and effective.