Ebrington PS build pends capital review

A TIMESCALE for the new build at Ebrington Primary School in the Waterside pends a review of Department of Education (DE) capital projects, the Minister Caitríona Ruane has revealed.

The Minister was asked by DUP MLA Gregory Campbell to outline a timescale for the new school by way of a written question at the Stormont Assembly.

But Ms Ruane said this was impossible until "robust evidence is collated and that full consideration is given to each project before a decision is taken."

She first answered a related query on all current schools projects in the Foyle and East Londonderry areas.

The Minister stated: "There are currently nine projects in the Foyle and East Derry constituencies included in my Department's major capital programme.

"Construction work is currently ongoing on three of these projects, namely, (i) St Cecilia's College, Creggan; (ii) St Mary's College, Creggan; and (iii) Lisnagelvin PS.

"Both colleges are due to be completed in September 2010. The new school building for Lisnagelvin PS was completed in early April 2010 with the remaining demolition/site works due to be completed in July 2010."

But dealing with the query on when work on Ebrington is to get under way she advised: "The remaining six projects, including Ebrington PS, are all at various stages of the planning process.

As you are aware, however, a review of all capital projects still in planning is ongoing and my officials are working to complete the process.

"Given the importance of this task it is essential that robust evidence is collated and that full consideration is given to each project before a decision is taken.

"I am not therefore, in a position at present to give specific dates for completion of the review or future progress of any particular project still in planning."