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Asked by Connie

AQW 53416/22-27 Written question to the Minister for the Economy

To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 52002/22-27, whether she has any plans to do so before the end of the 2022-27 Assembly mandate.

Asked by Connie Egan MLA on 30 September 2026

  • Answered
  • Written
Tabled
30 September 2026
Answer due by
15 October 2026
Answered
6 October 20266 days after tabling
Department
Department for the Economy
Priority question
No

Answer

The Department has no plans to undertake an assessment of introducing a tools grant for those engaging in practical Further Education (FE) courses before the end of the current Assembly mandate.

The Department continues to provide a range of financial support measures to assist eligible FE students with the costs associated with FE. These include FE Grants and the Hardship Fund, which can help students facing financial difficulties and contribute towards course-related expenses.

Official sources

  • AQW 54267/22-27To ask the Minister for the Economy whether her Department has directed further education colleges on the courses that should be depriori…
  • AQW 53419/22-27To ask the Minister for the Economy whether her Department annually monitors the costs of tools needed to complete further education qual…
  • AQW 53418/22-27To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail the average cost of tools to study (i) bricklaying; (ii) carpentry and joinery; (iii) elect…
  • AQW 53417/22-27To ask the Minister for the Economy whether her Department has considered introducing a bulk buying scheme through colleges for tools nee…
  • AQW 52005/22-27To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) any engagement she has had with the Department for Infrastructure regarding Translink's…