AQO 519/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 23/05/2024
Answered On Date: 04/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to outline which school capital projects will be taken forward in the 2024-25 financial year.

Answer:

(10) AQO 519/22-27

Question:

To ask the Minister of Education to outline which school capital projects will be taken forward in the 2024-25 financial year.

Kellie Armstrong, MLA - Strangford

Answer:

I was very pleased to announce on 28th May 2024, that 15 important new build and extension projects, for schools from all sectors, can now proceed to construction procurement. This is in addition to those capital build projects that are already onsite and under construction.

This announcement will see 15 schools benefiting from new state of the art facilities for young people from Belfast to Ballymena to Enniskillen and beyond. It will also provide a welcome boost to the construction industry over the next number of years.

This announcement is in addition to the over £50 million which has been earmarked to support Special Educational Needs and the planned commencement of construction of the flagship Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh, which will provide five new post-primary schools.

I also intend to launch a new programme of curriculum led investment to support and enhance the delivery of the curriculum in our schools. Potential schemes in this area include specialist curriculum accommodation at post-primary; outdoor play and PE in the primary phase and curriculum resources and equipment.

It is my priority to ensure the educational experiences of as many children and young people as possible across Northern Ireland are impacted positively by capital investment.