AQW 45321/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 01/05/2026
Answered On Date: 07/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any work done to assess (i) surplus Education Authority sites; and (ii) other Executive Departments or arm's-length body surplus sites, that could potentially facilitate special schools.

Answer:

Five former school sites have already been repurposed to establish second campuses for special schools or deliver additional special educational need (SEN) accommodation. Works are planned for September 2026 and September 2027 delivery at four further sites, and five sites are currently being assessed for suitability.

Projects have already been delivered, or are underway at, seven Education Authority (EA) sites. In addition, the business case, which is currently going through the approvals process, for the first of the new Belfast special schools also proposes the use of two EA owned sites for a junior and senior campus.

My officials and the EA are also currently exploring sites with the Department of Health, the Department for the Economy, the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for new special schools. There has also been extensive engagement with local councils.