AQW 41838/22-27


Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 04/03/2026
Answered On Date: 16/03/2026
Priority Written: Yes


Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the condition of the school hall roof at Rosetta Primary School, including (i) when the issue was first formally identified; (ii) any interim safety measures that have been put in place; (iii) any engagement that has taken place between his Department, the Education Authority and the school regarding remedial works; (iv) whether a time-bound programme of works has been agreed; and (v) when he expects the hall to be fully reinstated and returned to use.


Answer:
The assembly hall at Rosetta Primary School was closed in March 2024 on the basis of a structural engineer’s report.
On the engineer’s advice, internal steel props have been erected to make safe the roof structure.
While the roof works are being planned and delivered, the Education Authority (EA) has established a licence agreement with the neighbouring church to enable the school to use the church hall, with EA covering this cost. The EA has also installed a gate in the boundary wall to enable pupils to access the church grounds directly from the school site.
In parallel, a planning application has been submitted for a bespoke, standalone modular toilet block and storage provision at the school.
EA officials are engaging with the school and will continue to liaise with them throughout the project.
(iv) & (v) The EA appointed an external architect-led design team in January 2025 to review the works required to the roof of the school’s assembly hall. Following an initial structural survey, the scope of the proposed works was extended and a more extensive condition survey was initiated. The EA received the formal condition report from the design team on 4 March 2026 and this will now be incorporated into a feasibility report, to inform the business case. It is anticipated that the feasibility report will be completed during March 2026.
A timeline for the work will be determined when the business case is completed and the preferred option identified. The EA will liaise closely with the school on a timeline for completion of the work.