To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she has considered introducing a broadband support grant, for further and higher education students.

My Department provides a range of financial support to eligible students across Further and Higher Education, including assistance that may help address the impacts of digital poverty.

In Higher Education, eligible students may access maintenance support through Student Finance NI to assist with study-related costs. In addition, the Department provides funding to local universities and university colleges for Support Funds, which can assist students experiencing financial hardship, including where they face difficulties accessing the digital equipment or connectivity required to participate in their studies.

While not specifically intended to meet broadband costs, my Department also provides Further Education colleges with funding for a range of measures to help students access and participate in FE. FE Grants and Hardship Funding can contribute towards costs for eligible learners, helping ensure that financial pressures do not prevent participation in skills and training opportunities.