Magee: Minister 'fully committed' to Ulster University expansion plans

Northern Ireland's economy minister "remains fully committed" to Ulster University's expansion in Londonderry despite questions being raised over how further increasing student numbers will be funded. On Tuesday, Ian Snowden, the senior official at the Department for the Economy, said the extra money needed could only come from the Executive deciding to allocate the money from elsewhere or by increasing student fees. The campus, formerly known as Magee, has around 6,500 students with a target to reach 10,000 by 2032. The Department for the Economy (DfE) said the campus was a "top priority" for Minister Caoimhe Archibald. Snowden told Stormont's economy committee that to grow Derry and another UU campus at Coleraine would take an extra £40m a year. In a statement to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme, DfE said Archibald had ruled out an increase in student fees beyond the rate of inflation. "The minister's priority will be to work with Executive colleagues to identify solutions that support growth at Magee without placing additional burdens on students," the department said. It said Snowden's comments were made in response to a question about the department's budget pressu