To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning for his assessment of the benefits for students of having a Further Education College Campus located within a town centre.

Colleges are required to develop a business case when considering any major capital investment. In arriving at a preferred option, the business case will consider a range of social and economic factors including an assessment of the relative advantages and disadvantages of a range of proposed locations. This will take into account accessibility to facilities and services, transport links, etc. In addition to this there will also be an assessment of the overall value for money and affordability represented by each option. It is for the College to weigh up these various factors and to make a recommendation as to the option which best meets its needs and those of the student population.

The resultant business case will then be reviewed by my officials and subsequently those from the Department of Finance and Personnel to ensure that the best option has been selected.