SDLP Ballyarnett councillor Rory Farrell
The New Decade, New Approach deal of January 2020 committed the Executive to producing expansion proposals for 10,000 students at Magee, but no proposals have published.
Cllr Farrell won unanimous support at Derry & Strabane Council calling on the First Ministers and Economy Minister to “work collaboratively to ensure that Magee expansion proposals are produced immediately” and that the 10,000 student target is included as a commitment in the forthcoming Programme for Government.
Addressing the meeting, the Ballyarnett representative said: “There’s not much that can be said about Magee that hasn’t already been said on a regular or repeated basis over the last 18 months.
“Derry has been waiting 57 years for meaningful university expansion. We’ve waited patiently but our patience is wearing thin.
“We have the smallest university of any city on these islands. We have the highest unemployment, highest economic inactivity and lowest wages of any city on these islands.
“And that’s not a coincidence. It’s not rocket science, universities create opportunity, they create employment and they create wealth. And those are three commodities in very short supply in our city.
“New Decade, New Approach was published 18 months ago and that included a commitment to bring forward expansion proposals for Magee. 532 days later, we’ve had no proposals and no progress, just dithering, delay and downright avoidance.
“We have pressed the First Ministers repeatedly and we have been ignored, blanked and dismissed repeatedly. Like it or lump it the First Ministers own all of the commitments within New Decade, New Approach, not just the ones that they have a personal interest in.
“And that includes Magee.
“And don’t get me started on the Economy Minister, who is specific responsibility for Magee expansion.
“Diane Dodds had a hissy fit when it was announced that Health Sciences would be relocated to Magee.
“And her successor Paul Frew can’t give a straight answer on whether he supports the 10,000 student target.”
Cllr Farrell concluded: “If the First Ministers and the Economy Minister aren’t prepared to make this happen, they need to tell us.
“If they think it’s too hard or too costly, they need to tell us and if they think Derry doesn’t need it or Derry doesn’t deserve it, they need to tell us.
“Derry needs university expansion. We need the commitment in New Decade, New Approach to be honoured and to be delivered.
“We need to see proposals and progress and we need to see them now.”
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