HC Deb 07 October 2003 vol 411 cc212-3W
Lady Hermon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many integrated education school places there were in(a) North Down and (b) Northern Ireland in each year since 1997; what action he is taking to increase the number of integrated education places; and if he will make a statement. [131373]

Jane Kennedy

The total approved enrolments for North Down Integrated Schools—Primary and Post-Primary since 1997 are:

School year Total approved enrolment numbers
1997–98 0
1998–99 856
1999–2000 918
2000–01 934
2001–02 944
2002–03 944
2003–04 944

The total approved enrolment number for all Integrated Schools—Primary and Post-Primary since 1997 are:

School year Total approved enrolment numbers
1997–98 9,462
1998–99 12,507
1999–2000 13,470
2000–01 14,508
2001–02 15,356
2002–03 16,088
2003–04 16,341

The Department of Education funds the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education to promote the development of integrated education and also contributes to the Integrated Education Fund which provides assistance with the capital costs of new schools.

In December 2000 the Department reduced the viability criteria for the establishment of new integrated school to intakes of 15 pupils for primary schools in Belfast and Londonderry and 12 pupils for developments elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Changes to the viability criteria for integrated post primary schools were announced in October 2001. Integrated post primary schools which achieve a year eight intake of 50 pupils a now eligible for recurrent funding from the Department.

New Integrated Primary Schools have recently been announced in Randalstown, Glengormley and Antrim, bringing to 50 the number of integrated schools operating in Northern Ireland.