To ask the Minister of Education for an update on required remedial work to the buildings at Maine Integrated Primary School, Randalstown.

Mr Givan

My Department has instructed the Education Authority (EA) to undertake urgent remedial health and safety works to the modular building at Maine Integrated Primary School. The works are being scoped and will be delivered as quickly as possible. Drainage, structural and condition surveys of the modular building are being commissioned to determine whether any additional, longer-term works are required. Alongside those actions, a scheme is being progressed to replace the walkway and to provide a replacement classroom with a group room at the school. The Education Authority is preparing a technical feasibility report for the scheme, which will inform the business case. Should the school identify any works required to other modular units on the site, it should submit an unavoidable minor works application to the Department. However, you will appreciate that, due to ongoing budget constraints, minor works are being prioritised on the basis of health and safety, statutory compliance and the need to address urgent and emergency repairs that, if not addressed, could close a school or present a significant health and safety risk. I can assure you that I will continue to make a strong case for the increased and sustained investment that our education system needs.

Mr Speaker

Linda Dillon is not in her place. I call Paula Bradshaw.

Ms Bradshaw

Question 5, please.

Mr Speaker

Oh, sorry. Apologies, John. [Inaudible.] [Laughter.]

I also thank the Minister for his answer and the attention paid to this matter. Given that the Departmental Solicitor's Office (DSO) has advised that health and safety issues can be addressed, apparently, and that the EA has been instructed to carry out urgent health and safety works, is the Minister, given the number of issues that have arisen at that site, prepared to visit it to see the problems at first hand and how lessons might be learned on how to deal with contractual issues?

Mr Givan

My immediate priority is to make sure that that work is carried out. It causes me concern that nearly £1 million was spent in 2015 and we now have issues around the suitability of what was purchased within the past 10 years. That is not a satisfactory position to be in. I know that legal opinion, including from the DSO, was being sought on Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) and how this could have happened. Setting that aside, what is most important is health and safety, and that takes precedence over whatever legal dispute there may be with the way in which this was procured and any potential liabilities that flow from it. The immediate priority is providing support to the school. Education Authority maintenance staff, as I understand it, visited the school last week to review the issues. The maintenance officer agreed, in consultation with the school and the term service contractor, a programme of works to address those immediate health and safety issues. I trust that that work will be expedited with the urgency that it requires. If that is not the case, I will absolutely take up the invitation to visit the school myself, but I trust that that will not be necessary with regard to the immediate need. However, I am, of course, always happy to visit schools as part of the rolling programme of engagements that I undertake.