Debate contribution: Colin Glen Forest Park
Debate contribution by Dr Caoimhe Archibald on .
- MLA
- Dr Caoimhe Archibald
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 5 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Colin Glen Forest Park
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5774425
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for her question. I recognise the really important role that St Mary's college plays not just as an educational institution but as a vital social and economic anchor in West Belfast and beyond. I am acutely aware of the financial pressures facing St Mary's as well as the wider higher education sector, as we discussed earlier. I remain committed to securing the funding necessary to support a sustainable future for all our higher education institutions. I can provide an assurance that, once we have an agreed Budget, the needs of our university colleges, including St Mary's, will remain a priority for my Department.
I have already demonstrated my commitment to supporting both university colleges, and they now receive an additional £400,000 annually in recognition of their small and specialist nature. My officials and I continue to engage regularly with them about the support that they need and any issues that they may face in the current academic and financial year.
164 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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