Schools get £3m for minor work

The cash injection is part of almost £40 million investment in schools estate

Minor works are projects less than £500,000 carried out by the Department of Education.

Speaking about the investment, Education Minister John O’Dowd said: “During the period December 2014 to February 2015 a total of 565 minor works projects amounting to nearly £40 million were agreed across all areas. This investment will enable improvements to be carried out across the schools estate, positively impacting on pupils, teachers and school staff.”

Investment in Upper Bann area includes over £300,000 for an extension and refurbishment at Donaghcloney PS and over £200,000 to refurbish the science labs at Lurgan College.

In addition almost £300,000 will go towards a synthetic hockey pitch at Banbridge High School and almost £250,000 for accommodation works at Presentation PS, Portadown.

In conclusion the Minister said: “I am confident that the substantial investment in minor works projects will help in the drive to improve educational standards. The completion of all of these works will ultimately provide better facilities for our children and young people to learn in and an improved working environment for teachers and other school staff. This ongoing significant investment also provides a boost to our local construction industry, helping to sustain jobs.”

Schemes for controlled schools and school meals accommodation in maintained schools are administered by the Education Authority. Schemes for maintained (other than school meals accommodation), voluntary grammar, grant maintained integrated and Irish-medium schools are processed and administered by the Department of Education.