Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, has agreed to receive a business case for the expansion of the Magee campus of the Ulster University in Derry.
The move has been welcomed by Foyle SDLP MP Mark Durkan and Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin who were among a delegation from the city which met Dr Farry following his comments last Friday that the expansion was “off the table.”
While he welcomed the Minister’s response, Mr Durkan said “marshalled city purpose” was needed to maintain and sustain the objective of the One Plan for university’s expansion.
He added: “We have to optimise the business case and maximise the partnership around it, which will include having the best possible working access with the university, the Minister and his department.”
Mr Durkan said the aim of the meeting was “not recrimination but reassurance” around the treatment of the business case to be submitted for Magee expansion and bids in the remainder of the current spending cycle.
Dr Stephen Farry.
He added: “There was a welcome difference in the Minister’s tone as he didn’t repeat phrases like ‘off the table,’ ‘out of the question’ or ‘it will sit on a shelf,
“Instead, he said that he and his department will receive the business case and would give it their best consideration – and depending on its robustness would want to be in a position to be making a strategic bid for higher education expansion.
“He also said that if the Executive framed a policy priority and budget commitment for expansion at Magee that he and his department would do everything to deliver it.”
Describing the meeting as “frank but constructive,” Ms McLaughlin welcomed the assurance from Dr Farry that he would receive a business case.
“There is a political and civic consensus that the Magee expansion is critical to economic regeneration of Derry and North West region and there was concerns raised after Stephen Farry made a comment on the radio last week that any expansion was out of the question.
“While it was a robust discussion I welcome the assurance from the Minister that he will receive the business case and has not ruled out a bid going forward.
“The needs analysis for the expansion will be with the Minister next week and a full business case will be on his desk in October.”
Ms McLaughlin concluded: “The expansion of Magee campus is in the One Plan and therefore in the Programme for Government agreed by all parties so it is important that the Minister makes the expansion of Magee a departmental priority that will see the campus expand to the targets set out in the One Plan.”
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