Murphy confirms £23 million for university places and schools PPE
Date published:
The Executive has agreed further COVID-19 funding of £22.93 million for additional Higher Education places that may be required for the 2020/21 academic year, as well as school PPE costs.
Announcing the allocations, Finance Minister Conor Murphy said: “Following the A Level results, a number of students have been awaiting confirmation of their university place.
“I’m pleased to announce the Executive has agreed to provide up to £3.73 million of contingency funding, to provide for additional university student places that may be required. This includes extra medical, nursing, midwifery and allied health professional places.
“While the university admissions process is still ongoing, the Executive nevertheless wants to provide as much clarity and certainty as possible to both our universities and students. That is why we have committed to funding for additional places that may be required for the duration of the course. Future year funding will be ring-fenced for this as part of the upcoming Budget process.
“A further £19.2 million is also being provided for school PPE. This will assist education settings to continue to provide a safe learning environment for our children and young people.”
Notes to editors:
Notes to editors:
1. The £3.73 million breakdown includes £530,000 to the Department of Health for additional medical, nursing, midwifery and allied health professional places as part of future COVID-19 allocations. £3.2 million has been set aside for the Department for the Economy as a contingency, subject to final confirmation of costs from the universities
2. COVID-19 funding allocations to date can be viewed here