On April 29, 2026, Education Minister Paul Givan announced a series of significant investments aimed at improving the conditions of poorly maintained schools across the region. This initiative includes the progression of four major school building projects and nine enhancement projects, with a total capital investment exceeding £180 million over the next few years.
Key financial details:
- The total capital investment for the major works projects is just over £130 million, allocated over four years.
- The enhancement projects will receive more than £50 million in funding across three years.
- Four major works projects include Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Priory Integrated College, Dunclug College, and St Malachy’s Primary School.
The announcement took place during a visit to Fairview Primary School, where Minister Givan emphasized that many of these projects have been in planning for a significant number of years. He stated that proceeding to construction stage will be very welcome news for the schools, pupils, and wider school communities concerned as well as for the construction industry at large.
List of enhancement projects:
- Lurgan College
- Greenhaw Primary School
- Antrim Primary School
- Fairview Primary School
- Ballyclare Primary School
- Chapel Road Primary School
- Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Belfast
- St Bride’s Primary School, Belfast
- St Mary’s Primary School, Newtownbutler
The Minister noted that these initiatives are intended to address immediate and pressing needs through refurbishment or extension works, particularly targeting schools that are currently in exceptionally poor condition. Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity for increased and sustained capital investment across the Schools’ Estate to ensure long-term improvements.
In addition to these construction efforts, there is an ongoing focus on enhancing public legal education coordination and delivery through initiatives led by the PLE Committee. According to sources involved in these discussions, public legal education plays a crucial role in equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand their rights and responsibilities within society.