asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much has been spent on (a) upgrading, and (b) maintaining St Joseph's High School in Plumbridge, County Tyrone.[HL6661]
The Western Education and Library Board has advised that the cost of maintenance of St Joseph's High School incurred by the board and the school from its local management of schools (LMS) budget for the financial years 2000-01 to 2005-06 is as follows:
Financial year Board's Maintenance Budget LMS Budget Total 2001-02 £43,324 £7,320 £50,644 2002-03 £80,400 £13,005 £93,405 2003-04 £14,544 £2,428 £16,972 2004-05 £7,585 £3,172 £10,757 2005-06 £10,142 £3,241 £13,383 Total £155,995 £29,166 £185,161
During the same period the Department of Education, under the specialist accommodation programme, approved the refurbishment of the ICT and business studies accommodation at the school at a cost of £46,000.
The school did not apply to the department for any capital works projects to upgrade the school during the period 2000 to date.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many school places in Northern Ireland were unfilled on the most recent date for which figures are available; whether they will provide a breakdown of the total showing primary, secondary and other schools separately; and how many of the unfilled places were at (a) Roman Catholic schools; (b) Protestant schools; (c) integrated schools; and (d) other schools.[HL6837]
In the 2005-06 school year there were an estimated 53,050 surplus places in schools in Northern Ireland: 34,390 in primary schools and 18,660 in post-primary schools.
The breakdown of this information by school sector and type is as follows.
Sector Surplus places in primary schools Surplus places in post-primary schools Controlled 16,240 8,700 Maintained 16,940 8,540 Integrated 840 340 Irish-Medium 370 0 Voluntary Grammar Schools N/a 1,080 Totals 34,390 18,660
Controlled schools in Northern Ireland are generally attended by pupils from a Protestant community background. Maintained schools are attended generally by pupils from a Roman Catholic background.