Over £500,000 earmarked for local schools

Several schools in East Londonderry are set to benefit from £541,216.07 investment from the Department of Education’s

Four Schools in the East Londonderry constituency are to receive a share of over half a million pounds of Executive funding. 

Speaking about the investment, Education Minister Peter Weir said:

"Capital funding of over £541,000 has been approved for works at four schools in the East Londonderry area since June 2016.  £281,745.08 has been approved for an electrical review of Drumachose Primary School, Limavady and refurbishment of two classrooms, St Canice’s Primary School, Dungiven will benefit from £164,998.99 for toilet refurbishment works and additional new build storage provision, St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s College, Claudy will benefit from £80,972 to refurbish toilet facilities and £13,500 has been approved to convert the library to a general classroom at Rossmar School, Limavady."

“It is estimated that over £51million will have been invested in the minor works programme in the 2016/17 financial year. This investment will enable improvements to be carried out across the schools estate, positively impacting on pupils, teachers and school staff.”

Minor works are projects less than £500,000 and range from minor improvements to more significant projects and extensions.

In conclusion the Minister said:

“I am confident that the substantial investment in minor works projects will help in the drive to improve educational standards.  The completion of all of these works will ultimately provide better facilities for our children and young people to learn in and an improved working environment for teachers and other school staff.  This ongoing significant investment also provides a boost to our local construction industry, helping to sustain jobs.”

East Derry MLA Caoimhe Archibald was pleased with the news

Meanwhile East Londonderry MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the new funding.  “This investment in the schools will not only help provide better facilities for our children and young people to learn in" said Ms Archibald "but also improve the working conditions for all staff at the schools.”