Derry's Magee campus to receive 40 million pounds from Irish government

Derry's Ulster University Magee campus is expected to receive close to 40 million pounds in Irish government funding to help boost student numbers.

The project is one of a number of cross-border projects set to have funding approved by the Irish Government today.

As part of the Shared Island initiative, €45m will be allocated to build a new teaching and student services building.

The building is part of Ulster University’s plan to increase student numbers in Derry to more than 6,500.

It will underpin teaching and research between Ulster University and Atlantic Technological University Donegal, which has campuses in Letterkenny and Killybegs, and promote cross-border education in the region.

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderick O’Gorman and Professor Paul Bartholomew, Ulster University Vice Chancellor on Shared Island Funding, made the announcement in Dublin on Tuesday.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “This investment in Ulster University marks a step-change in higher education in the North West. It will help to transform education in the region, and in the medium term will foster new jobs and economic growth.

"The new teaching and student services building will help to grow student numbers and enhance higher education. It also fulfils our commitment under the New Decade, New Approach agreement to invest in the Derry campus.

"I am also excited about the new Youth Forum which starts in September as part of the Shared Island initiative. This aims to harness the experience for young people of growing up in an era of peace, with the goal of helping them relate to and understand each other unburdened by divisions of the past. We hope their vision and values for how we share this island across all communities will inspire us all.

“The Government is keen to work with a new Executive, once formed, and with the UK Government to fund other investments that will benefit the North West and border regions, and the island as a whole.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD, said: “The investment decisions made today under the Shared Island Initiative will further deepen the people to people links across this island, including in such important areas as health and education – things which impact so much on the day to day lives of us all.

“The Shared Island Initiative is forward looking and optimistic for the future of this island. I am ambitious for the island and for the Initiative, and look forward to continued investment in building a connected, prosperous and sustainable island, a great place for all the communities who call it home.”

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, said: “The announcement today is not just about capital investment in the University of Ulster’s campus, but a signal of our commitment to all-island education.

“We have made incredible progress with colleagues in Northern Ireland to deliver medical and nursing education on an all-island basis.

“Today is a major step forward. This is something long sought after but today we are reporting invaluable progress under New Decade, New Approach.”

Professor Paul Bartholomew said: “We are delighted to receive confirmation of this investment by the Irish Government.

"The funding announced will make a very significant contribution in preparing the campus for significant growth and is part of a larger investment package that comprises our own investment, City Deal funding, Inclusive Futures funding, and Department for the Economy capital grant monies.

"With our partners, we have an ambitious vision to continue to expand student numbers on our Derry campus and to grow our economic and social impact in the whole of the northwest of the island.”

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood welcomed a €45m investment to grow student numbers at the campus.

He said: “This is a great day for Magee and the people of Derry. This significant investment from the Irish Government will be transformational, allowing us to grow student numbers in our city by providing additional courses and resources that will make Magee an even more attractive place to study."

He added: "I secured the commitment for 10,000 student places at Magee during the New Decade, New Approach negotiations and this investment brings us a significant step closer to reaching that minimum target. 

“Growing Magee into a properly resourced university that serves the whole North West region has been one of the defining goals in my political career. It has the potential to deliver so much for our city, boosting our economy, attracting jobs and investment, allowing us to keep more of our young people and finally delivering on a key objective of the civil rights movement. 

“Though this investment is hugely welcome, it cannot be the end of our plans to grow Magee. This must be the beginning of the work that finally sees the long-held vision to turn it into a major university on this island become a reality and the SDLP will keep working until we achieve that goal."

Speaking after the announcement that €44.5m has been allocated to Ulster University’s Magee campus, Londonderry Chamber President Selina Horshi said: “This is a very positive announcement from the Department of the Taoiseach. The Chamber warmly welcomed the creation of the Shared Island Fund and Shared Island Initiative and made the case strongly that these funds should be used to address long-standing regional disparities and inequalities in Derry and the North West.

"This is a significant capital investment which will support Ulster University in its ambitions to grow student numbers in our city.

"More students means greater investment, jobs, productivity, wealth and ultimately prosperity in our region. By expanding upon and upgrading Magee’s already excellent estate of labs, libraries, and study spaces, the campus will become an even more attractive option for prospective students who will come and study and live in our city.

"We look forward to construction beginning as soon as possible at the campus as we collectively seek to promote Derry and the North West as a place to invest, do business, work, and live.”