To ask the Minister for the Economy what engagement she has had with the Irish Government in regards to Northern Ireland universities continuing to participate in the Erasmus Programme.

My Department is aware of the Irish Government’s plans to support full-time Northern Ireland Higher Education students to allow them to continue to access the Erasmus+ programme through Irish institutions. The Irish Government did not notify the Department that they intended to publically announce the proposed arrangements prior to doing do so.

The progression of these proposed arrangements is a matter for the Irish Government and my Department has not contributed to their development. The Irish Government has indicated that they will liaise closely with Departmental officials on the more precise details of the proposed arrangements as they continue to be developed, so that any implications for Northern Ireland can be considered.