To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning for an update on the new build for the Northern Regional College, Coleraine; and to detail what progress has been made on a new curriculum design as part of this process.

The Northern Regional College is developing an Outline Business Case which will address the accommodation needs throughout the College Estate including the Coleraine area. The Business Case will take account of a revised Curriculum Plan and Schedule of Accommodation which received Education and Training Inspectorate approval in March 2015. The Schedule of Accommodation determines the size and type of buildings required to meet the accommodation needs across the College estate. Also, further site options have been identified in the area, which require evaluation in the Outline Business Case. Department of Finance and Personnel approval was given at the start of April to cover the cost of this additional work on the Outline Business Case.

Full approval of the Outline Business Case is planned for August 2015 and following this, I will make an announcement on the preferred option.