'Alarm' over college merger plans

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Politicians are "alarmed and dismayed" at a proposed merger between Stranmillis University College and Queen's University, says a new report.

Northern Ireland's Employment and Learning Committee has examined how many teachers are being trained and how the colleges are funded.

BBC NI Education Correspondent Maggie Taggart said there was disquiet about the proposed merger.

Some politicians fear it would not be in the best interest of Stranmillis.

The committee also said a completion date of September 2009 was unlikely.

The committee strongly recommended that the south Belfast site in Stranmillis should be protected, should the merger go ahead.

Minister for Employment and Learning Sir Reg Empey confirmed he had received the merger business plan and would examine it.

He said there would not be a "Fire Sale" of the land for development.

The report into teacher training also expressed concern at the number of retired staff who return to schools as substitute teachers.

There was a perception that work was being taken from young teachers trying to start their careers.

The committee is concerned about the number of teachers trained outside Northern Ireland who return to try to find work.