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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Minister: Magee campus expansion 'off the table' | Minister: Magee campus expansion 'off the table' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Further development of the University of Ulster Magee campus in Londonderry is "off the table", according to the minster for employment and learning. | Further development of the University of Ulster Magee campus in Londonderry is "off the table", according to the minster for employment and learning. |
| Stephen Farry said the development would be delayed "for the indefinite future" due to the executive's failure to reach agreement on budgets. | Stephen Farry said the development would be delayed "for the indefinite future" due to the executive's failure to reach agreement on budgets. |
| The minister said his department faced cuts of £34m. | The minister said his department faced cuts of £34m. |
| He told Radio Ulster's Nolan show that the number of university places could also be cut. | He told Radio Ulster's Nolan show that the number of university places could also be cut. |
| 'Shabby politics' | 'Shabby politics' |
| "We are in a financial crisis through gross mismanagement that we should not be in," Mr Farry said. | "We are in a financial crisis through gross mismanagement that we should not be in," Mr Farry said. |
| Foyle MP Mark Durkan accused Mr Farry of "downright shabby politics". | Foyle MP Mark Durkan accused Mr Farry of "downright shabby politics". |
| He said it was "absolutely wrong" to use the expansion of higher education to make a political point. | He said it was "absolutely wrong" to use the expansion of higher education to make a political point. |
| Sinn Féin MLA for Foyle Maeve McLaughlin said the expansion of Magee was crucial to the regeneration of the city. | Sinn Féin MLA for Foyle Maeve McLaughlin said the expansion of Magee was crucial to the regeneration of the city. |
| "Stephen Farry is practising microphone diplomacy, announcing unilateral decisions on the airwaves and is playing politics with vital issues," she said. | "Stephen Farry is practising microphone diplomacy, announcing unilateral decisions on the airwaves and is playing politics with vital issues," she said. |
| In July, planning permission was granted for an £11m extension to the Magee campus. | In July, planning permission was granted for an £11m extension to the Magee campus. |
| The plans included increased teaching facilities, a large lecture theatre, 20 classrooms and a cafe. | The plans included increased teaching facilities, a large lecture theatre, 20 classrooms and a cafe. |
| A business case was due for publication in September. | A business case was due for publication in September. |
| 'Disappointed' | 'Disappointed' |
| A spokesperson for the University of Ulster said: "We are disappointed with this announcement. | A spokesperson for the University of Ulster said: "We are disappointed with this announcement. |
| "The university has steadily progressed plans for the £11m Magee campus teaching block project and welcomed the planning permission granted just last month by the Environment Minister and Derry City Council. | "The university has steadily progressed plans for the £11m Magee campus teaching block project and welcomed the planning permission granted just last month by the Environment Minister and Derry City Council. |
| "We were aware that both universities would suffer budget cuts in the current year, however the potential impact of these on specific projects had not yet been discussed. | "We were aware that both universities would suffer budget cuts in the current year, however the potential impact of these on specific projects had not yet been discussed. |
| "The university will now be seeking an urgent meeting with the DEL minister. | "The university will now be seeking an urgent meeting with the DEL minister. |
| "The Magee expansion remains a priority for the University of Ulster and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that positive impact of this project on the city can be fully realised." | "The Magee expansion remains a priority for the University of Ulster and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that positive impact of this project on the city can be fully realised." |
| Student union leader Rebecca Hall said: "The minister's comments are extremely troubling. We need investment in students to help deliver the best possible educational outcomes and to help grow our economy. | |
| "Students must not become the victims of any failure of government on agreeing on budgetary issues. | |
| "There must be no political game-playing on the vital issue of investment in students and tertiary education." |