Funding boost for school buildings | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Funding boost for school buildings

Education Minister John O’Dowd has announced an additional £47million for school buildings.

Minister O'Dowd

Minister O’Dowd

The Minister confirmed the 32% increase in the 2016-17 Capital Budget allocation during a meeting of the Assembly’s Education Committee.

The investment will allow up to ten major construction projects announced previously, to move forward; as well as several school enhancement projects and minor works schemes to take place.

Commenting on the increased investment, Education Minister John O’Dowd said: “This £47million increase in the capital budget for the education sector is good news for education and good news for the many schools set to benefit.

“This level of investment will of course provide a significant boost to the local construction industry and in turn the local economy.

“The funding will enable my Department to move up to ten major projects to site over the next year and advance the designs of a further 14 schools where business cases are already approved.

“I know for some schools this investment has been long awaited and I look forward to seeing the completion of these projects over the coming months and years,” he added.

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LearnSpark1The Minister announced in February that construction work would also begin on twelve school enhancement projects this year, providing new and refurbished teaching spaces, new sports provision and replacement temporary accommodation.

Commenting on the resource budget allocation, the Minister continued, “Schools were informed of their budgets last week and I have outlined the entire education resource budget for 16/17. My department, like in previous years, has seen a reduction in its overall allocation as a result of decisions taken by the Westminster Government.

O’Dowd added, “I have however managed to protect Sure Start, Early Years, Youth and Special Educational Needs funding from any reduction. Funding levels for Extended Schools and Targeting Social Need, which support the most vulnerable in our society, have also been maintained.”

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Posted by on Mar 16 2016. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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