Magee campus development
Deputy Burke asked for support for a major third-level institution in Derry. The Tánaiste said progress had been made, citing Shared Island funding for a new Magee Campus building and research collaboration projects.
The second-biggest city in Northern Ireland, Derry, has fewer than 6,000 third level students, whereas 35,000 to 40,000 students have descended on our second-biggest city, Cork, and are attending Munster Technological University or University College Cork. What commitment can we give to try to assist in the development of a major third level institution in the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland, particularly in the context of the barriers that have been put up over many years in the context of that development? As Lord Mayor of Cork, I had the privilege of presenting the freedom of the city of Cork to John Hume. I proposed that it be called the John Hume memorial university, which would have huge international attraction. Cross-border development is extremely important for the region. What progress can be made on that in the next 12 months?
Comment on this
We have made progress on that. Under the shared island initiative, this year we announced a massive investment in the Magee Campus of Ulster University for the construction of a new building. I think there is up to €40 million in that allocation. I will get a precise figure for the Deputy. In addition, in the shared island research projects involving collaboration between different universities on the island, the Magee Campus, and Ulster University more generally, would have won some projects. It is very interested in a partnership with the Atlantic Technological University network as well. There has been very good progress. Last year, our officials worked very hard on this and the announcement was made earlier this year.