25 Schools Across NI To Receive Enhancement Funding

Twenty-five schools across NI have been successful in the second call of the School Enhancement Programme, Permanent Secretary, Derek Baker, has announced.

The School Enhancement Programme, first established in June 2012, provides financial support for capital projects valued at between £500,000 and £4 million. The second call for projects opened in January 2017 and encouraged applications addressing immediate and pressing accommodation needs in schools.

Permanent Secretary, Derek Baker said: "The purpose of the School Enhancement Programme is to ensure that we provide the best possible education estate for our children and young people, within the budget that is available.

"With this in mind I have given approval to progress the first 25 projects through the business case, design and planning stages. These projects will attract a potential £60million investment which will help to improve and expand the existing facilities in the schools.

"Today's announcement represents a first tranche of projects to be progressed from this call with the potential for further schools to be approved in the future. This is good news for the pupils, staff and wider communities of the schools."

The schools to benefit from funding include: Carniny PS, Ballymena; Chapel Road PS, Londonderry; Greenhaw PS, Londonderry; Holy Rosary PS, Belfast; Killyleagh Controlled Integrated PS; Lurgan Model PS; Our Lady of Lourdes PS, Belfast

Presentation PS, Portadown; St John's PS, Coalisland; St Mary's PS Jerrettspass, Newry; St Mary's PS, Strabane; St Patrick's PS, Crossmaglen; Coleraine GS; Lurgan College; St Joseph's GS, Donaghmore; St Kevin's College, Lisnaskea; St Malachy's College, Belfast; St Patrick's GS, Armagh; Beechlawn School, Hillsborough; Knockevin Special School, Downpatrick; Longstone School, Dundonald; Roddensvale School, Larne; Sandelford Special School, Coleraine; Sperrinview Special School, Dungannon; Thornfield House School, Newtownabbey.

(MH/LM)