1. Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Education for an update on his plans for a new build for Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. (AQO 652/22-27)

The plans for a new build for Enniskillen Royal Grammar School on the former Portora Royal School site are well advanced, with final technical design, pre-tender construction estimates and decant plans for the former Devenish College being prepared by the appointed integrated consultant team. A planning application for the new build was submitted in March 2023. However, no decision on the application has been taken at this time. Any decision to progress the project beyond the current design stage will be dependent on available capital funding.

I thank the Minister for that update. Has any finance been ring-fenced in the current year's budget to help progress the school?

There is no ring-fenced funding for any school in that respect. I was able to announce 15 projects that could advance to construction in the current financial year, but this school is still not ready to go to the construction phase. It is important that it can get to that point. Then, of course, where finance can become available, it will allow me to move more schools into that construction stage process. That is why I appeal to Members to support me as I make the case to my Executive colleagues for capital funding that will allow me to take forward not just this project but many of the others that I would like to see developed in the school estate.

I welcome the Minister's recent announcement in relation to a much-needed extension for Saint Kevin's College, Lisnaskea. Can he give an approximate timescale for the commencement of that work?

I will come back to the Member in writing on Lisnaskea. I had prepared to deal with Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in response to the original question.

The Minister will be acutely aware that I, too, want to see Enniskillen Royal Grammar School progress. Can he indicate what the timescales may be, once the school completes the planning stage? Decanting to the Devenish College site is not ideal either, given that the college moved to a new site and there are issues with that site as well.

There are still issues to progress until Enniskillen Royal Grammar School can get to the construction stage. It is not there for bidding for capital, because it has not got to a shovel-ready state. We need to get the processes concluded: the planning permission is still working through the system. Once that is all completed, the school can sit along with other schools in making the application for capital funding. Where capital becomes available, I will be able to announce more new builds. At this stage, the announcements are for this year, but we need to get other schools to the point at which they can commence, subject to the availability of capital.

Bunscoil Cholmcille in Derry has been waiting for a new school for over 20 years: when can the school expect to have a new build?

Again, the original question related to Enniskillen. I understand that Members want to draw in every other school, but I will provide the Member with a written update. When it comes to decisions around financing and capital, I ask Members, please, when it comes around the Executive table and to voting through the Budget, to make the case for increasing the allocations to the Department of Education. Then I will be able to take forward more projects. I will provide a written update to the Member in answer to her question.