Pat Ramsey MLA
Derry SDLP MLA Pat Rasmey said there needs to be consistency from the Stormont Executive in protecting budgets following news that universities here face funding cuts next year.
Mr Ramsey was speaking after Department of Education and Learning Minister Stephen Farry told both Queen’s University and University of Ulster that they must plan for a 15 per cent cut to department grants for the upcoming academic year.
Mr Ramsey said: “There has to be a challenge to the consistency of the Executive in protecting budgets and, ultimately, vulnerable people whom budgetary cuts will impact – in this instance, students forced to leave this island to attend universities elsewhere, those attending colleges who are on their final stage of their journey through education and adults requiring re-skilling.
“Clearly, we know that third-level education is the economic driver for any city that has a university and a lack of strategy is failing a generation of young people.
“Students in universities here get £1000 to £2000 less than counterparts in England and Wales. It’s worrying that the level of money will reduce standards in research and development and therefore force more of our young people to leave this island and attend universities in England and elsewhere.”
Mr Ramsey concluded: “Where is the strategy for NEETS – young people not in employment, education or training – youth training and reskilling? There is a clear worry that in further education in colleges across NI we have those who may be most vulnerable, and adults in re-skilling will now find it more difficult to continue of further their education.”
