AQO 2723/22-27

Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 06/11/2025
Answered On Date: 08/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the progress of the Ballycastle Shared Education Campus project.

Answer:

Following the success of Limavady Shared Education Campus, which opened in 2023, I am delighted to be able to report that the Ballycastle Shared Campus is making excellent progress in construction.

This project will deliver Northern Ireland’s first purpose-built shared education campus, with an investment of £70m from my Department through the Fresh Start Programme.

Ballycastle High School and Cross and Passion College have a strong sense of history, with strong sharing arrangements that have developed and strengthened over many years.

Both schools have benefited from the loyalty demonstrated by the local community and it is wonderful that my Department is able to return that continued support in such a tangible way, with the new Shared Education Campus.

Construction of the main school building is due to complete next summer and I expect the pupils from both schools to be able to start next academic year in their new shared building. The remaining works are programmed to complete before the end of 2027 and will include the provision of sports pitches, a sports hall with facilities for EA’s Youth Service, traffic management and car parking facilities.

I am delighted that the project will also deliver enhanced sports facilities for community use outside school hours. This has been made possible through additional investment of around £4m which is being provided by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

I have no doubt that this fantastic project will deliver enormous benefits for the whole community.