Education Minister Paul Givan has announced that three major post-primary school construction projects, previously paused due to budget constraints, are moving forward to the planning and design phase.

The projects, which represent a collective capital investment of over £200 million, will deliver modern facilities for:

• Belfast High School, Newtownabbey

• Ballyclare High School, Ballyclare

• St Brigid's College, Londonderry

First announced in 2022, the major works were temporarily halted following sector-wide funding pressures.

Speaking during a visit to Ballyclare High School, Paul Givan said: "I am pleased to be delivering the good news here at Ballyclare High School today that three major works projects will now advance in planning. The capital investment across the three schools when the projects are delivered will be over £200m. "These schools have been in need of significant capital investment for a number of years. Their buildings are in extremely poor condition and have seen little or no investment. We are now a step closer to the development of modern school facilities that are fit for purpose and that will better support the learning and development needs of young people in these three schools for generations to come."

Addressing broader infrastructure pressures across Northern Ireland, the Minister added: "Whilst this is welcome progress, I recognise that there are many other schools in need of significant investment. The education system is facing a capital funding crisis that must be addressed.

"I will continue to manage capital expenditure very carefully and prioritise those most in need. Decades of underfunding has left much of our schools' estate in very poor condition.

"I will of course continue to make the case for increased and sustained capital investment across our schools' estate."