To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any current support her Department has available for students across further and higher education, experiencing digital poverty.

My Department provides a range of financial assistance to eligible students across Further and Higher Education.

In Higher Education, eligible students may access maintenance support through Student Finance NI, to assist with study-related costs. The Department also provides funding to local universities and university colleges for Support Funds, which help students experiencing financial hardship, including digital poverty, who might otherwise be unable to continue or complete their course.

In Further Education, colleges administer a Department-funded Hardship Fund for eligible students aged over 18 on accredited professional and technical courses. Assistance may be provided towards fees, books, equipment, transport, living costs and childcare. Further support may also be available through Further Education Grants, Educational Maintenance Allowance, Care to Learn, Home to College transport and Free School Meals, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria.

Students experiencing difficulty in accessing the equipment or resources required for their studies should contact their college or higher education institution to discuss the support that may be available in their individual circumstances. Higher education institutions may also have local support arrangements in place.