HL Deb 21 May 2003 vol 648 cc79-80WA
Lord Kilclooney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a site in Carryduff has been acquired for the proposed St Ita's primary school; at what stage is the planning for this school; what is its proposed enrolment; whether funds have been allocated for the scheme; and when it is programmed to begin work on site. [HL2596]

Lord Williams of Mostyn:

The new St Ita's primary school was included in the Northern Ireland Office's capital programme announced in March 2001, when funding of £4.5 million was made available for the building of a 496–525 pupil school. Work on the building of the school was originally programmed to start in February 2002. Due to difficulties in obtaining full planning permission for the site at Purdysburn Road, Beechill, Castlereagh, it did not prove possible to meet this timescale. The issues surrounding planning permission have been resolved and detailed planning of the new school is well under way. It is estimated that work on site should begin in approximately six months' time.

Lord Kilclooney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proposals there are to redevelop St Joseph's primary school in Carryduff; at what stage is the planning; what is the proposed enrolment; whether funds have been allocated for this school project; and when it is programmed to begin work on site. [HL2597]

Lord Williams of Mostyn:

The school is part of a cluster of schools being taken forward under the public/private partnerships programme. A project board has been established to oversee the project, personnel have been trained in PPP procurement procedures and consultants are currently preparing an outline business case. The long-term enrolment is between 496 and 525. As the project is still at the early planning stages a date to begin work on site has not yet been established. However, it is not expected to be before spring 2005. The project will be subject to a value-for-money deal being secured with a private sector partner.