Schools capital funding announcement
|
In the first capital announcement since 2010, new builds are to be progressed for five special schools, two post-primary and eleven primary schools across the province. Eighteen schools received the go-ahead for funding this year, with the prospect of more schools receiving funding in the next two financial years. Announcing the £173 million investment, Education Minister John O’Dowd said: “The need for investment far exceeds the funding available. While I would like to be in a position to fund everything that needs doing now, I must work within the budget available. This means difficult decisions on future investment plans.” The Department of Education’s capital budget is £104 million in 2012-2013; £108 million in 2013-2014 and £184 million in 2014-2015. It is almost two years since the then Minister Caitríona Ruane released £23 million for 13 schools. Area plans will continue to be used to identify the priorities for capital investment going forward. During the first phase, a total of £133 million will be spent on the 18 schools outlined below. More school projects will be chosen to receive funding for planning and announced in the autumn. In order to encourage schools to do more with the existing estate, a new schools enhancement programme will offer up to £4 million for existing school projects that suggest amalgamation or rationalisation. Initially, up to £20 million will be available for this programme in 2013-2014 with the option of increasing this in 2014-2015, depending on the number and quality of proposals. The DUP’s Mervyn Storey, who chairs the Education Committee, welcomed the investment, particularly on special schools. He paid tribute to Castle Tower in Ballymena, which is to receive the largest investment. He also asked why fully compliant schools were not included, to which the Minister said they could be in the future. The SDLP’s Education Spokesman, Seán Rogers, was disappointed at the absence of schools from Downpatrick of Kilkeel and said: “I recently visited a school where the science labs had not been refurbished in 40 years. With devolved and central governments putting such a firm emphasis on the importance of STEM subjects in giving young people the tools to be at their most productive later in life, how can we justify neglect on that scale?” Alliance Education Spokesman Trevor Lunn welcomed the funding but was disappointed that there were no integrated schools on the list. |
New build schools
|
