To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline any engagement her Department has had with Ulster University in relation to maintaining higher education provision at the Coleraine campus following the announcement of proposed staffing reductions.

First, I would like to recognise that this will be a particularly worrying time for staff and students at the University. I am working to secure a funding settlement that can deliver a sustainable Higher Education sector.

Since the return of the Executive, student numbers at the Coleraine campus have increased by 12% and new courses have been introduced. My Department has provided £7 million of dedicated capital investment to the Coleraine Campus in the last ten years: £4.5 million supported the enhancement of the campus' sports facilities and £2.5 million supported the purchase of research equipment for the campus, as well as improvements to teaching, research and IT infrastructure.

As part of the Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal, signed on 29th April, my Department is also working with Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council and Ulster University on the development of a Centre for Food and Drug Discovery at Coleraine.

My Department’s budget is extremely challenging and I am seeking additional grant funding to support a sustainable higher education sector. I have also commissioned independent analysis of the costs of Ulster University’s multicampus model.