AQW 18297/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 15/11/2024
Answered On Date: 21/11/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on proposed capital works for Fort Hill Integrated College and Fort Hill Primary School and Nursery Unit.

Answer:

The proposed capital works for Fort Hill Integrated College (IC) and Fort Hill Integrated Primary School (IPS) and Nursery Unit are in the latter stages of design with the Spatial Coordination and Developed Design stage (RIBA Stage 3) having completed in May 2024.

A planning application for the new build was submitted in August 2023, however no decision on the application has been taken at this time.

Given the severe constraints on my Department’s capital budget, regrettably this project will be unable to progress to the Technical Design and Pre-tender stage (RIBA Stage 4) and to construction without additional funding being secured.

I can assure you that I have and will continue to make the case for significant additional and sustained capital funding for my Department, to permit projects like Fort Hill IC and Fort Hill IPS and Nursery Unit to proceed to construction as soon as possible.