To ask the Minister for the Economy what consideration he has given to introducing government-owned guarantor schemes to ensure international university students and staff can access affordable accommodation.

My Department is responsible for higher education policy in relation to teaching and research in the north of Ireland. Student and staff accommodation – whether university halls of residence or private rental housing – is a matter between the individual and their landlord. Where a university is the landlord, it is responsible for its own business practices in respect of such provision.

However I am open to suggestions that will improve access to affordable accommodation.