AQW 21456/22-27

Mr Eóin Tennyson
Alliance Party
Upper Bann

Tabled Date: 28/01/2025
Answered On Date: 06/02/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the steps his Department is taking, along with all relevant agencies, to ensure Abercorn Primary School, Banbridge, is reopened as soon as possible following the impact of Storm Éowyn.

Answer:

The Education Authority worked closely with relevant agencies to ensure all schools could safely reopen as quickly as possible after Storm Éowyn.

As the power restoration date for Abercorn Primary School was initially identified as 1 February, the school received a generator on the evening of Tuesday 28 January. However, an earthing issue during installation of the generator resulted in the school remaining closed on Wednesday 29 January. NIE engineers resolved the earthing fault, and the school reopened on Thursday 30 January, powered by the generator. Mains power to the school was restored on 31 January.