SDLP Universites and Colleges spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin MLA
The Foyle MLA repeated the SDLP’s call, supported by more than 7,000 students via a petition, for the Minister to extend the COVID-19 disruption payment.
Said Ms McLaughlin: “I wrote to the Minister for the Economy again, after receiving an unsatisfactory reply to an Assembly question.
“Unfortunately, it seems that Minister Dodds is determined to exclude full time students from the North studying in Britain and the South from any financial assistance.
“This is wrong. Excuses about process are not acceptable and are of no comfort to the students struggling to keep their heads above water.
“These students have had even higher tuition fees and accommodation costs than those studying locally, while also losing incomes.
“There is no good reason they should not be eligible for the £500 disruption payment.
“I have urged the Economy Minister to explore solutions and work creatively to find a way to get support payments made quickly to these students, to prevent any further financial distress.
“The Executive has hundreds of millions of pounds left to spend before the end of next month, or it will be returned to the British Government.
“It would be a crying shame and an absolute disgrace if this money was handed back while more than 20,000 students from Northern Ireland have yet to receive a penny of financial assistance. The Minister must act, now.”
