T3. Ms Sheerin asked the Minister of Education, having written to him recently about Holy Family Primary School, Magherafelt, and having been contacted by its principal, whether he will consider a new build at the site, which the school has been requesting for a number of years. (AQT 443/22-27)

I am always happy to consider new builds. I suspect that the Member has more leverage than I with the Finance Minister to help me to get the funding to do that. Where I can provide support, absolutely I will provide support. I am happy to engage with the Member, as I am, I think, with nearly every Member who corresponds with me about new schools and enhancing provisions. I always want to do more, and, with the right support, I will be able to.

Thanks, Minister, for that commitment. Some classrooms in Holy Family Primary School have been in operation since 1890. Generations of families have used the same classrooms, and grandparents were in the same building as their grandchildren are now. In the interim, if it is not a new build straight away, could we see some sort of help for the dilapidated building that is there?

If there is any need to make sure that a building is safe, of course the Education Authority will provide the support to do that. The Member will know that the normal process for new builds and school enhancement programmes is that a call is put out by the Department and the managing authorities put forward schools -— the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) would put forward a list of schools in that sector -— and criteria are applied on the basis of need.

I recognise that there is a need to invest in the school estate. I was pleased to secure an additional £80 million this year. That has allowed me to announce 15 new projects: eight new schools and seven school enhancement programmes. Could I do more? Yes, I could. If more funding becomes available, I will seek to take forward more schemes. I want to provide the support that is needed, and, with the support of the House and Executive colleagues, I will be able to do more.