§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many university students his Department has supported or sponsored with a work placement in the last year; what his policy is on work placements; what plans he has to develop such schemes; and what his policy is on paying their university fees. [98550]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe Department has supported or sponsored 71 university work placement students during the past year. These cover the areas of Valuation, Statistics, Economics, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Mechanical Engineering, Media Studies and IT.
There is no specific policy, however, the numbers employed are decided upon by the specialist business areas and is dependant on available funding.
There are currently no plans to further develop the schemes.
The Department employs and pays university students for the period of placement but do not pay or make any contribution to their university fees.