§ Lady HermonTo 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]
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§ Jane KennedyThe 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.