South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

MASKEY TO RAISE DELAYS IN LAGAN COLLEGE REFURBISHMENT WITH EDUCATION MINISTER CAITRÍONA RUANE

Published: 26 January, 2009

South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey is to raise the issue of the delay in the planned refurbishment of Lagan College with the Education Minister Caitríona Ruane MLA and is calling for the Minister to reiterate her Department's commitment to the project and to outline a definite timescale for completion of the planned refurbishment.


The South Belfast MLA said,

"The issue of the delay in the planned refurbishment of Lagan College has been brought to my attention by a number of my constituents in the South Belfast area and parents of pupils at Lagan College.


"This project was initially given support in 2002 by the then Education Minister Martin McGuinness MP. However, the current delay has undoubtedly caused some disappointment and frustration among staff, governors, pupils and parents. I share this frustration.


"While many parents would understand some of the complications which have arisen, the seemingly endless delay and bureaucracy leaves them questioning the commitment to the school from the Department of Education.


"It is my firm belief that the Education Minister Caitríona Ruane passionately believes in providing the best standard of education for all children. However, I believe it is necessary for her to provide some clarity on the reasons for the delay.


He concluded,

"I believe that many of the fears and frustrations of parents, pupils, staff and governors can be alleviated by the Minister reaffirming the commitment of her Department to this project and by a definite timescale for the completion of the planned refurbishment. I have therefore, written to the Minister on this issue and have table a question to the Minister also". CRÍOCH


Note:

The following questions have been tabled for a written answer from the Education Minister Caitríona Ruane:

To ask the Minister for Education

i) to detail the reasons for the delay in improvement and refurbishment work at Lagan College, Belfast.

ii) to indicate when her Department expects this work to be completed.