To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning for his assessment of the competitive position of Northern Ireland’s universities.

My central objective is to ensure that Northern Ireland continues to have a world-class and internationally recognised higher education sector. Our universities are key partners in the economic transformation of Northern Ireland and are central to our inward investment narrative and efforts to create more jobs and business start-ups. They are key providers of higher level skills and research.

I have been pleased to be able to provide additional undergraduate places, all in STEM subjects, to set in train the doubling of the number of publically-funded PhDs over this decade, to facilitate additional Masters courses, and to make new investments in research activities.

Nevertheless, in light of the underlying squeeze on public sector funding over the course of the 2011-15 Budget period, there is an ongoing challenge to maintain the competitive position of our universities.

The universities in Northern Ireland receive grant from my Department for funded undergraduate and post-graduate places and tuition fees from the students.

Taking these together, the universities receive between £1,000 and £2,500 less per student than their counterparts in England and Scotland.

In total terms, for the number of students being funded in the current year, our universities receive up to £39m less than they would in England or £22m less than they would in Scotland. This funding gap is growing and it directly impacts on the competitive position of our universities.

In terms of research funding, our universities are also funded at a lower per capita rate than those in England or Scotland. Not only is their competitiveness compromised but also that of Northern Ireland, as research and innovation are key catalysts for economic growth and prosperity.