Stormont Education Minister bids for £528m to upgrade schools estate

Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan has submitted funding bids of £528 million to upgrade school facilities across Northern Ireland.

A Capital Investment Strategy for Education has been commissioned as a matter of priority.

Mr Givan told the Assembly that in every school sector, there are a wide range of “much-needed investment projects, which urgently need to be delivered”.

“Children across Northern Ireland have the right to be educated in schools which are comfortable and safe, are of good quality and are properly designed and resourced to support their learning,” he said.

“I have therefore commissioned, as a matter of priority, a Capital Investment Strategy for Education which sets out a compelling vision for a responsive, agile and innovative programme of capital investment clearly aligned to wider education and Executive policy.”

He said he has submitted funding bids of £528 million to the Department of Finance to meet education capital needs next year.

“As an absolute minimum, I require an additional £100 million of capital above the draft budget allocation to meet pressures in regard to Special Educational Need placements,” he said.

“I am also lifting the pause that had been imposed in the absence of a minister, on a number of new build projects for schools in the worst conditions. Integrated Consultancy Teams will be appointed for each project.

“This will ensure a pipeline of investment for future years.”

Mr Givan also said he will shortly be bringing proposals to the Executive for investment in the Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh.

The project involves six schools and more than 4,000 children on a shared site.