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21/03/2007
Eagle announces go-ahead for school buildings programme
Education Minister, Maria Eagle, today announced that 84 schools across Northern Ireland should proceed with their building works as planned.
The projects, worth an estimated £580 million, had been the subject of review to enable an assessment of their consistency with the recommendations of the Bain Review, published in December 2006.
Maria Eagle said: “The Bain Review, which government has fully accepted, made detailed recommendations for better planning of the schools’ estate in the context of falling enrolments. It recommended that previously announced capital projects currently underway should be reviewed according to their stage of development for their consistency with the area-based approach. It was important to consider the sizes of the projects. This is why I instigated a review of the building projects currently in planning.
“Following this exercise I am confirming that 84 projects can proceed and work will be continuing on those projects. They will of course continue to be monitored to ensure they remain sustainable.
A further six projects are temporarily on hold because of current uncertainties relating to them. Further examination will be undertaken with the relevant authorities to confirm the position and schools will be informed of the outcomes as soon as is possible.
The Minister commented: “I would like the remaining assessments for the schemes on hold completed with the relevant authorities within the next two months to see whether there is a strong case for the schemes to proceed.”
“ It is imperative that this money is used to best effect so that every child in Northern Ireland has the opportunity to learn in a modern environment,” the Minister concluded.
(JM/KMcA)
The projects, worth an estimated £580 million, had been the subject of review to enable an assessment of their consistency with the recommendations of the Bain Review, published in December 2006.
Maria Eagle said: “The Bain Review, which government has fully accepted, made detailed recommendations for better planning of the schools’ estate in the context of falling enrolments. It recommended that previously announced capital projects currently underway should be reviewed according to their stage of development for their consistency with the area-based approach. It was important to consider the sizes of the projects. This is why I instigated a review of the building projects currently in planning.
“Following this exercise I am confirming that 84 projects can proceed and work will be continuing on those projects. They will of course continue to be monitored to ensure they remain sustainable.
A further six projects are temporarily on hold because of current uncertainties relating to them. Further examination will be undertaken with the relevant authorities to confirm the position and schools will be informed of the outcomes as soon as is possible.
The Minister commented: “I would like the remaining assessments for the schemes on hold completed with the relevant authorities within the next two months to see whether there is a strong case for the schemes to proceed.”
“ It is imperative that this money is used to best effect so that every child in Northern Ireland has the opportunity to learn in a modern environment,” the Minister concluded.
(JM/KMcA)
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