£6.5m needed to bring local schools up to standard

The figures have been given to Assembly member Paul Givan by the Department of Education.

During an Assembly debate Mr Givan expressed his concern about the physical condition of many schools in the constituency and asked how much had been spent on the maintenance in the past three years.

Mr Givan said: "This figure of almost 6.5m causes alarm and it crystalises into monetary terms the poor physical condition that some of our schools have got into.

"Unless maintenance work is carried out a minor problem that is not given attention will develop into a major issue and the costs to carry out repairs will soar and health and safety risks will become a significant concern.

"Some schools require limited attention but others need hundreds of thousands of pounds to be spent and in the current financial climate resources this will be extremely challenging.

"I believe that our children and young people's education should be the first priority and I know, as a Governor at Pond Park Primary which has a new school, how valuable it is to have excellent facilities that enhances the educational experience of our children.

"I will continue to press the Department of Education to provide the financial resources necessary to meet the needs that exists in our schools."

The breakdown are as follows Barbour Nursery 1,650, Pond Park Nursery 12,650, Holy Trinity Nursery 16,825

Anahilt Primary 35,715, Ballycarrickmaddy Primary 2,270, Ballymacash Primary 136,780, Brownlee Primary 138,045, Carr Primary 40,525, Derriaghy Primary 156,775, Dromara Primary 23,545, Dunmurry Primary 160,330, Fort Hill Integrated Primary 46,357, Harmony Hill Primary 152,934, Killowen Primary 339,760, Knockmore Primary 283,026, Largymore Primary 243,822, Lisburn Central Primary 116,760, Maghaberry Primary 5,600, McKinney Primary 20,720, Moira Primary 31,730, Old Warren Primary 131,159, Seymour Hill Primary 24,670, Tonagh Primary 24,925, Riverdale Primary 830, Meadow Bridge Primary 481, Ballymacward Primary 1,280, Christ The Redeemer Primary 17,692, Saint Aloysius Primary 314,000, Saint Josephs P.S. (Lisburn) 303,605, Dunmurry High 558,960, Laurelhill Community College 396,770, Lisnagarvey High 174,430, Saint Patricks Academy 274,460, Fort Hill College 391,135, Friends School 502,920, Beechlawn School 119,045, Parkview Special 21,820, Dromore Central Primary 645,565, Fairhill Primary 5,900, St Colman's Primary (Dromore) 24,115, St Michael's Primary (Finnis) 83,640, Dromore High School 441,245.

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