O’Dowd told DCC he would make Foyle/Ebrington statement later in autumn

But he explained that he would not be able to make a definitive statement on the co-location project until later in the autumn stressing the “detrimental effect” of a reduced capital budget on his ability to deliver new school builds.

In a letter to the local authority he stated: “I am aware of the accommodation needs of Foyle College and Ebrington Primary School and how the proposed relocation of Foyle College would facilitate the expansion plans for the Magee campus of the University of Ulster and indeed the regeneration of the wider Derry City area.

“The very real need for investment in this area of severe social deprivation is not in doubt and I recently met with representatives from both schools, together with local political representatives, to discuss the issues.”

But Mr O’Dowd warned of the difficulty in progressing schemes in the current straitened budgetary climate.

“However, the reality is that the Executive’s Budget highlights significant reductions in the capital resources for Education over the next four years, which will have a detrimental effect on my Department’s ability to deliver a school building programme.

“I am therefore currently considering how to make best use of the scarce resources available. I am seeking to ensure that the interests of children and young people are uppermost in the considerations relating to capital investment,” he stated.

“My main aims will be to address the most pressing need and maximise the impact of available resources.

“I intend to be in a position to make a statement to the Assembly later in the Autumn on the way forward in this matter but in the interim you will appreciate that I cannot advise what the likely outcome will be for individual projects,” wrote Mr O’Dowd.