U4D backs Sammy Wilson's investment call

This is the theme supporting University for Derry's (U4D) objectives to expand the Magee campus in Londonderry.

"For Northern Ireland and Derry-Londonderry to develop a strong economy and to be financially self-sufficient there has to be investment in our infrastructure," says U4D chair Padraig Canavan.

"That infrastructure includes having the skills and research capability here that enables local firms to expand, gives more local people the capacity to start their businesses and encourages more international businesses to locate here.

"Those skills and research capabilities come directly from universities.

"As the University of Ulster's Richard Barnett and Deirdre Heenan have said, higher education expansion and development is essential for our economy to grow.

"We call on the Northern Ireland Executive to endorse Sammy Wilson's call for much greater investment in local economic development – and to demonstrate that commitment by agreeing to the substantial expansion of the Magee campus, including a significant increase in the provision of the courses in the science, technology, engineering, maths and creative industries courses that will provide tomorrow's skills today."

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson this week told the All Island Infrastructure Investment Conference in, Dundalk, that he believed the Executive had not done enough to advance long-term economic growth in Northern Ireland.

He said: "I would argue… that we have not done enough to advance long-term economic growth.

"Our current number one priority is 'growing the economy', but I worry about how we have actually delivered on this.

"It is imperative that we invest in a manner that generates enduring and tangible economic returns – this includes areas such as Research & Development and innovation; mathematics and technology skills; physical infrastructure.

"Government has a responsibility to invest public money in the right areas to deliver a modern and prosperous economy in the future.

"This is how we can maximise returns from tax-payers investment.

"I firmly believe that investment in infrastructure and economic growth are intrinsically linked."