NI Students set to receive £500 disruption payments

By Q Radio News

Students studying in Northern Ireland are to receive a £500 payment to reflect pandemic disruption to studies.

All students from the UK or EU currently enrolled on a full-time higher education course in the region will receive the one-off discretionary payment.

The scheme, agreed by the executive today, will cost £22m with nearly 40,000 students eligible for the payment.

Overseas students from outside the EU are not eligible.

MLA John O'Dowd has previously been calling for more support for students. 

The Upper Bann representative said: “This is a good news day for students, universities and colleges – the Executive have just announced a £38 million package to support them through the pandemic. 

“Every full-time student studying in the north will receive a £500 payment, that means that over £22 million of this money is going directly into the pockets of students.

“They can also avail of the hardship fund which will be increased by £8.5 million.

“Sinn Féín will continue to listen to and stand up for students studying here and elsewhere to ensure they are supported.

“The priority for Economy Minister Diane Dodds now is getting this money out the door quickly to support our hard-pressed students.”

SDLP economy spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin also welcomed the announcement by DfE minister Diane Dodds but expressed concern about those studying in Great Britain as well as part time students. 

“This a fantastic step forward and I want to pay tribute to the thousands of students who joined the SDLP in our calls for a fair and substantive Student Support Fund,'' she added. 

''This is a testament to their work.  While £500 is not everything students deserve, it will provide some relief to the many who have been struggling and I welcome the fact Minister Dodds has finally adopted our proposal

“There are still many issues outstanding, particularly how we support part time students and those studying in Britain and I will continue to encourage the Economy and Finance Ministers to work together to bring forward proposals to support these groups. They cannot and should not be left behind.

“The SDLP is taking a stand for young people across the North who have been left behind. We’ve got your back and we will keep campaigning for you.”

Economy minister Diane Dodds says she's ''acutely aware that students in local higher education institutions have experienced significant disruption'' since the start of the pandemic.

She added: “I am pleased to announce that I have secured £22million from the Executive to fund a one-off discretionary payment of £500 to all students from the UK and EU who are in full time higher education in Northern Ireland, whether that is in a university or further education college setting.”

The support package also includes:

– £8.5 million to address student financial hardship, digital poverty, and to support student unions with mental health provision;

– £4.1 million for the provision of a safe working, learning and research environment; and

– £3.1 million to compensate universities for lost income arising from rental pauses and releasing students from accommodation contracts.

Ms Dodds said: “These additional resources will help universities target financial support at those students who are most in need.

“Many students do not have adequate access to devices or the connectivity they need in order to participate in online learning. Digital poverty must not be a barrier to learning and this additional support will help address that.

“Also included in this package is funding specifically for student unions to help them increase the mental health and wellbeing support they provide to students.

“Furthermore, the institutions will receive funding to help them carry out modifications and invest in PPE and other equipment to ensure they can deliver teaching and learning in a Covid-compliant way.”

The minister added: “I have listened to the many concerns raised with me by students, their representative bodies, family members, educators and institutions, and will continue to do all I can to help them regain the learning experience they deserve.

“Students who are in immediate need of financial support should contact their institutions to discuss their options.”

Queen’s University and Ulster University welcomed the intervention.