Ruane announces £23million for schools
Thursday, 5 August 2010Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has announced that up to £23million could be spent on schools during the rest of this year.
The Minister confirmed that her Department had received £13million capital allocation as a result of the June Monitoring Round agreed by the Executive. A further £10million has been identified to tackle the maintenance backlog in schools.
The Minister said: "I put forward a strong case for greater investment in the schools’ estate and welcome this additional £13million capital funding. Potentially, it could see major progress being made on 14 schools’ projects and minor works carried out in many other schools across the north.
"To ensure we can spend this money before the end of the financial year we have identified projects which are well advanced in terms of financial, planning and tendering processes. We need to make rapid progress to realise the full potential of this allocation and are working closely with the schools and managing authorities to resolve outstanding issues.
"We are able to allocate almost £8.5million for work to start on 13 new schools and the site acquisition for another. In addition, around £4.5million will be provided for minor works projects across the schools’ estate. This essential work will address statutory and health and safety issues and help maintain the fabric of the buildings.
"These schools’ projects range in scale from £1.5million for St Joseph's Primary School, Madden to £17.4million for Bangor Grammar over the next four years. In total, these projects will amount to an investment of over £65million in the schools’ estate over the four-year period and will make a significant and welcome contribution to our economy.
"Some schools will be disappointed that they are not included on this list. I can assure them that I will continue to lobby for more money and if and when I receive funds I will drive forward with the school building programme.
"I am also able to confirm that an amount of £10million has been identified to help address the maintenance backlog across the schools’ estate. This amount, combined with our £13million capital allocation, is good news for the education sector.
"This announcement on funding for infrastructure will be particularly welcome in the current economic climate providing a range of construction jobs, including special social clauses for employment of apprentices and the long-term unemployed and contributing towards social and economic development. Maintenance work is usually carried out by smaller local companies and this announcement will help sustain local jobs.
"Since May 2007 we have completed 44 major schools’ projects representing an investment of around £326million in our schools’ estate. In addition a further 12 major capital schools’ projects are currently on site representing a further investment of over £186million.
"I have regularly, and will continue to highlight, the need for continued investment in schools’ infrastructure to support the work we are undertaking to raise educational standards."
Schools included and total estimated build cost:-
Carrick Primary School, Warrenpoint - £3.329million.
Corranny and Cornagague PS, Roslea - £1.539million.
Dromintee PS, Newry - £2.046million.
Scoil Na Fuiseoige PS, Belfast - £1.65million.
St Columba's PS, Draperstown - £2.097million.
St Oliver Plunkett PS, Forkhill - £1.841million.
St Colman's PS, Lisburn - £3.306million.
St Joseph's PS, Madden, Armagh - £1.543million.
Magherafelt PS & Nursery Unit - £4.166million.
St Marys PS, Newcastle £3.45million.
Taughmonagh PS, Belfast - £3.539million.
Bangor Grammar - £17.432million.
Strathearn Grammar, Belfast - £17.399million.
Colaiste Feirste, Belfast (site acquisition) - £2.325million.
The Minister concluded: "Today's announcement is good news for the schools involved but more importantly for the pupils and parents. However, many other schools need investment and it is essential we put in place a sustained and substantial investment programme for the future."
Notes to editors:
- Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.
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