£33k charge to crèche in 10yrs

Dr Stephen Farry stated: “The University has advised that no rent or overheads were charged to either the Magee or Jordanstown day care facilities over the last 10 years.

“The University has confirmed that the only other charges during this period were for additional services provided such as, postage, telephone, catering, printing and photocopying, and repairs and maintenance.

“The total additional charges to the child care facility at the Jordanstown campus was £29,691.71 and for Magee the total was £32,809.12 over the ten year period.”

The University announced in February it would close the childcare facilities in July because they have been running a £114k annual deficit and are ‘no longer economically viable.’ Trade unionists says the University should “suspend its decision.”

Dr Farry says talks are imminent about changing the use of the facility: “Initial contact has been made with the Department and it is likely that a meeting will take place in the near future for an initial discussion on the matter.”