To ask the Minister of Education whether his Department regularly monitors whether Education Maintenance Allowance is delivered to (i) secondary school; and (ii) further education, recipients on time.

The Department for the Economy (DfE) is responsible for the delivery of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme and for the management of the contract with the Student Loans Company (SLC), which administers the scheme on behalf of both Departments.

I recognise the importance of ensuring that EMA payments are made to learners in a timely manner. While my department does not have a direct role in monitoring or administering EMA payments, DfE maintains regular engagement with the SLC in relation to the operation of the scheme. Where issues arise that may affect the processing or timely payment of EMA to school pupils, DfE advises my department accordingly.