To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail what correspondence he has had with Ulster University in respect of support staff who are (i) directly, and (ii) indirectly connected with courses affected by the recent announcement of University cuts.

While the University’s decision to reduce course, staff and student provision is the inevitable outworking of the Executive’s budget cuts to my Department and the higher education sector, universities are autonomous and responsible for their own course provision and staffing levels.

I did meet with Trade Union representatives earlier this year to discuss the potential job losses and reduced student places across all the higher education institutions.

I have no remit to intervene in these decisions and, therefore, I have not had any specific correspondence with Ulster University in relation to support staff.