I will speak about the condition of many schools in Derry. I am aware that we have raised the condition of those schools with the Department of Education and the Education Authority (EA) over the past months. It is a constant issue of maintenance, because our schools simply cannot get, and are not getting, the capital funding that they require to make sure that they are fit for purpose and safe for pupils.

The Minister recently made two statements on the issue, one of which was more positive for Derry schools than the other. Essentially, two schools in Derry — Lumen Christi College and St Brigid's College in Carnhill — are on that waiting list, but both will languish, as they have been languishing, on that list. We know that change needs to happen for staff and for families, but also, most importantly, for pupils. We are in that situation where change is needed, but it is not happening.

I recently visited many schools in Derry that are in these conditions: children are being taught in Portakabins that are cold, have black mould and are in an extremely poor condition. It is not acceptable, in 2024, for any child to be taught in conditions that look like those in the photo that I am holding up. Children are being taught in schools that have black mould on the ceiling. That is an extreme health risk for those children and is not acceptable at all. There are also schools with Portakabins that look like the ones in this photo and are simply not being maintained by the Education Authority. I brought these photos in, because, if children in our communities, in our constituencies, see that every day when they go to school, it is very important that the people in here, who make the decisions, see photos of it. There are also conditions such as those that you can see in this photo. It is simply not acceptable that children go into school every day to conditions like those in the photos.

The issue may not be a priority for the Education Minister, but it is certainly a priority for me and for Sinn Féin, and we will continue to stand up for those children, their families and our community to ensure that children can go to schools that are fit for purpose and safe and where they can be taught in conditions that are appropriate for education.