Sinn Féin spokesperson on Higher and Further Education John O’Dowd MLA has confirmed that the party will support the NUS-USI campaign to Extend the £500 Student Covid Payment. 

This campaign calls on the Economy Minister Diane Dodds to extend £500 Covid Disruption Payment to third level students who have been excluded in the original announcement. 

The Upper Bann MLA said: 

“Sinn Féin is proud to support students in this campaign to have the £500 Covid Disruption provided to all our students.  

“Many students were bewildered by the Department of Economy’s decision to exclude them from the £500 payment.  

“It is simply unfair that students in our Further Education Colleges or those studying Higher Education in the South or Britain are being excluded from this much needed support. It is also unfair that part time and international students are also being left out. 

“At this week’s Economy Committee, I once again made the point that it is demeaning for students to be excluded and that it is wrong to treat some students as less deserving of support, particularly when so many are struggling financially. 

“I want to thank NUS-USI for speaking up for students on this issue and I hope others will join me in signing this petition and supporting these excluded students.”  

Note to Editors: Link to NUS-USI petition: https://www.nus-usi.org/campaigns/extend-the-covid-disruption-payment