AQW 29935/22-27
Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford
Tabled Date: 04/07/2025
Answered On Date: 07/07/2025
Priority Written: Yes
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of special schools required to meet demand in Northern Ireland; (ii) the budget required to deliver this; and (iii) when construction will start on any new special schools.
Answer:
As outlined in my April 2024 statement on transforming capital investment to support children with special educational needs, projections indicate a need for up to eight entirely new special schools across Northern Ireland over the next decade. Estimated construction costs for a new special school are in the region of £45-50 million. Of the five new build special school projects which have already been initiated, estimated construction start dates are detailed in the table below. I should highlight that at this very early stage these are indicative dates only; they are contingent upon issues such statutory approvals and potential site acquisitions which are outside the direct control of my Department. School | Estimated Construction Start Date | Belfast 01 | February 2028 | Belfast 02 | March 2030 | Ardnashee 02 | July 2029 | Knockevin | January 2030 | Sperrinview | June 2030 (pending identification of site) |
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