AQW 41988/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 06/03/2026
Answered On Date: 16/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 40318/22-27, to detail the physical enhancements that have taken place on some further education sites.

Answer:

I have been advised by the Further Education colleges that they have delivered or are delivering a range of physical enhancements across their campuses to support learners with special educational needs.

At Northern Regional College’s Newtownabbey campus, work is ongoing to upgrade the existing accessible lift, ensuring safe and inclusive access for all learners, and this is scheduled for completion by the end of this month. Southern Regional College has installed new sensory pods at its Newry and Portadown campuses. North West Regional College has also installed new sensory pods at its Limavady and Strand Road campuses, with all offering supportive environments for learners to regulate.

At South Eastern Regional College’s Lisburn campus, design work to upgrade the main entrance to facilitate students with special educational needs is nearing completion, with delivery planned, subject to funding provision, for the 2026/27 financial year.