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Programme for Government

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Questions (137)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

137. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that will be taken in 2020 and the resources that will be made available to deliver on the commitment in the programme for Government to develop third-level opportunities at Ulster University's Magee campus, County Derry. [25615/20]

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Written answers

In the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”, the Government affirms that it will work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government to commit to investment and development opportunities in the North West and Border communities, including third-level opportunities for young people from across the region at the Ulster University Magee Campus in Derry.

This confirms the commitments made by the Government on 9 January 2020, when the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I published the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement, which was the basis for the political parties in Northern Ireland to resume operating the power-sharing Executive and Assembly.

The Irish and British Governments, at the same time, each announced their own separate sets of financial and other commitments in support of the resumption of the power-sharing institutions at Stormont and the work of the North South Ministerial Council. These commitments, which are annexed to the NDNA Agreement but do not form part of it, include a commitment in principle to contribute to capital investment to support expanded provision at the Ulster University Magee Campus in Derry, alongside the commitment made in the context of the agreement by the British Government.

The Government welcomes the development of plans for ambitious new higher education provision at the Magee Campus, including in the context of the British Government’s City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund initiative which is being advanced by Derry City and Strabane District Council. This investment has the potential to increase access to third-level education for young people on a cross-border basis, enable further cooperation between third-level institutions in the North West and underpin broader economic development and opportunities in the region.

We look forward to continued engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive including in taking the NDNA commitments forward through the regular pattern of Ministerial-level Sectoral meetings across the North South Ministerial Council’s twelve policy sectors over the coming months.

The funding requirement in the years ahead to deliver these projects will depend on the timing and details for projects being agreed on a North/South basis, and will need to take account of necessary discussions with the Executive through the North South Ministerial Council, the progress of implementation of each project, and, where relevant, our engagement with the British Government.

Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 122.
Question No. 139 answered with Question No. 136.
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 116.
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