To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline (i) when the level of student finance was last reviewed; and (ii) when the level will be reviewed to take account of the increasing cost of living that is impacting students across Northern Ireland.

The last full scale review of higher education student support was undertaken in 2011 - The Independent Review of Variable Fees and Student Finance Arrangement. Since then, my Department has undertaken a number of separate reviews into student support.

In 2015, the Department undertook a review into postgraduate and part-time student finance, extending the student support package in 2017/18 to make tuition fee loans available for part-time undergraduates and postgraduate students for the first time.

My Department recently published a public consultation which explored both the level of funding available for postgraduate tuition fee support and the potential for maintenance support for postgraduate students. My Department is currently considering the responses to that consultation and I hope to publish a formal response in the coming months. However, any outcomes, particularly in relation to the levels of financial support available, will be dependent on the funding that is available to my Department over the coming years.

Officials are also currently reviewing part-time student support to assess whether it is still relevant and fit for purpose. Options for a way forward are being developed which may result in a public consultation in due course.

In addition, my officials are looking to bring forward a proposal around reviewing the whole student support landscape for my consideration. I await sight of their proposed approach, which will likely include consideration of the maintenance support package currently provided to Northern Ireland students. Any outcomes, particularly in relation to the levels of financial support available, will be dependent on the funding that is available to my Department over the coming years.