Many in Derry disappointed to miss out on £156m schools investment, not least Irish language sector, says Karen Mullan

The Sinn Féin education spokesperson said pupils, parents and staff across the Irish-language medium sector will be particularly frustrated as they have had to put up with temporary accommodation for years.

On Tuesday Mr. Weir announced nine new major capital projects, with estimated capital in the region of £156 million.

None were in Derry: St. Catherine's Primary, Strabane, and St. Patrick's College, Maghera, were the nearest beneficiaries.

Ms. Mullan said the announcement was very welcome for the nine schools that will receive a share of the £156m investment but she said more investment is needed in the Irish language schools estate in Derry.

"It is welcome news for the successful schools, but many in my city will be disappointed after the announcement, in particular the Irish-medium sector. We have three Irish-medium schools in the city that have operated in so-called temporary accommodation for between 15 and 30 years. You are aware of their situation, and in your statement you say: 'It is, therefore, essential that any capital investment is targeted at supporting the delivery of modern, fit-for-purpose schools that are both viable and sustainable into the future.'

"I ask you to come to Derry and meet those schools to discuss their needs and outline the process," she said.

Mr. Weir said he understood schools that missed out would be disappointed. He also said he would be happy to visit Derry to meet educationalist within the Irish language sector to discuss solutions.

He said: "I am happy to meet anybody to outline the process. The position is that 89 schools applied, and 68 made the gateway check. By doing so, all 68 are investable. However, there are limitations on resources.

"One of the restrictions is that something can be done many times over. The scheme was announced in 2019 and scored according to the criteria in the protocol that was existence at that point. It is done directly and fairly, according to those objective criteria. It means that, at times, in individual announcements, different sectors may have different levels of success.

"I am committed to ensuring that schools, as much as possible and where it is needed, will get that new school build. However, actions across the board, in individual circumstances, can be taken to ensure that, if there is inadequate provision, where something can be done temporarily in a particular school, it will be looked at. That will be borne in mind as we move into the autumn. We will try to make sure that we maximise the number of children who are directly into the classroom.

"I am more than happy to meet anybody from any sector to explain the situation. Inevitably, in announcing successful schools, there will be a much greater pool of schools that will be unsuccessful. That is not because they are without merit; it is because, in the ranking according to the criteria, they were not ranked ahead of other schools that we could announce."