£10m Magee block will go ahead in 2016-20 or earlier

A University of Ulster spokesperson told the Sentinel that if funding becomes available in an earlier budget monitoring round the project may also be put forward as a worthy beneficiary.

The University clarified the situation after SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey asked the Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, what bids for funding his Department had received from the University in the last two years.

Dr Farry said a request for £10.125m had been received for the Magee scheme but that this was not approved.

A spokesperson for the University explained: “The Magee teaching block plan is a part of the approved estates strategy for the University, and will form part of our normal capital funding request as part of the next CSR period which runs from 2016-2020.

“If additional Government funding becomes available before then, we will request that the Magee project be brought forward.

“A planning application for the development will be submitted shortly.”