Alderman Gordon Dunne - Holywood School

Peter Weir said “For some time now the people of Holywood have been waiting with anticipation and some frustration for the capital works schools programme to begin in Holywood. This new build would effect Priory College, Holywood Primary, Redburn Primary, and Holywood Nursery School, thus cutting across all sectors of education in the town. Everything seemed to be moving in the right direction, but the projected reduction of capital spend by the Department in 2010/11, have raised fears as to whether this multi school project will ahead on time. The situation has not been helped by obfiscation by the Education Minister when pressed on the subject in a written question on the subject, and by contradictory answers on the capital build programme by herself and her officials when pressed by the Education Committee. I have now secured an adjournment debate in the Assembly on this subject, to press for a resolution to this issue.

Alderman Dunne added “ The failure of the Department and the Minister to provide definitive answers is deeply worrying, and has only fuelled rumours and concerns within Holywood. Holywood deserves its fair share of resources, and it is unacceptable for our children to have to put up with second class facilities. We have put up with this for too long. It is vital at the Assembly debate that the Minister ends the speculation and the uncertainty, and puts the issue to bed by confirming that the capital schools build in Holywood will go ahead on schedule.”