£3.6million Whitehouse Primary School gets the go ahead

Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has given approval to the £3.6 million new build project for Whitehouse Primary School.

The school was destroyed following an arson attack in July 2009. While plans for a new school were already advanced, reductions in the Department of Education’s capital budget led to a review of all capital projects to ensure the available resources are used to secure the best outcomes for children and maximum value for the taxpayer.

Minister Ruane said: “Since the fire, everyone has worked to progress this project as quickly as possible. My capital budget has been cut this year and last October I announced a review of capital projects to ensure these are viable in the long term.

“I have now considered the findings of the review and it is clear that Whitehouse is sustainable and deserves high priority. I am today authorising the North Eastern Education and Library Board to sign the contract for the new school. This should enable work to begin in a few weeks. The new school should be completed by the autumn of next year and I look forward to attending the opening.

“While there has been great concern expressed about the delay in approving this project, as Minister I have to make the right decisions, not only on Whitehouse, but on the competing projects.”

Notes to editors:

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