£1m boost to schools in Fermanagh and South Tyrone

Over a million pounds has been made available to schools in Fermanagh and South Tyrone since June, it's been revealed.

Seven schools in all have benefited from the Department of Education's minor work scheme.

The initiative funds projects costing less that £500,000 and range from minor refurbishments to more significant works.

Education Minister Peter Weir said he was "confident" that the works scheme and resultant improvements to local schools would "help in the drive to improve educational standards".

“Capital funding of over £1million has been made available to seven schools in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone area since June 2016," the DUP MLA for North Down said.

St. Patrick’s Primary School of Aughadarragh benefitted from over £300,000 for the provision of pre-fabricated accommodation, this included a triple unit providing 3 classrooms and an office.

Funding of £11,000 was approved for the conversion of an ICT room to a general classroom at Moat Primary School in Lisnaskea.

A further £3,500 was approved for works to refurbish a resource area at Maguiresbridge Primary School.

At Enniskillen Integrated Primary School, over £110,000 was approved by the Department to fund an additional modular classroom.  

A sum of £4,500 was granted towards access control in addition to a bin compound being made available to Tattygar Primary School.

Enniskillen Royal Grammar School secured £580,869 funding for a new modular toilet and changing facilities, refurbishment of existing facilities including additional lockers and conversion of music classroom into a to general classroom.

Meanwhile, St. Paul’s Primary School in Irvinestown benefitted from funding of £7,500 for security fence and ramps.

"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," Minister Weir continued. 

"This ongoing significant investment also provides a boost to our local construction industry, helping to sustain jobs,” he added.