Over £500 million has been invested in major infrastructure work in schools across Northern Ireland.

NI Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane, said: "Since the return of the devolved institutions in May 2007, over half a billion pounds have been invested in new schools.

"In reality that means 55 major capital school projects have been completed or are underway.

"That is a significant investment in the future of our children and young people.

"Schools like Ashfield Girls’ High School, Belfast, Belfast Model School for Boys and Belfast Model School for Girls, Drumragh Integrated College, Omagh, Holy Cross College, Strabane, Brookefield Special School, Moira, St. Mary’s College and St. Cecilia’s College, Derry and St. Patrick's Primary School, Saul, have been part of a major upgrade of our schools’ estate.

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"Their pupils and teachers will benefit from new surroundings, fit-for-purpose buildings and a sense of reinvigoration and investment in our schools."

The Minister continued: "Our schools must be sustainable and be able to provide the best education possible for our young people. In these tight economic times, we must be smarter and more strategic when planning our schools’ estate. We need to look at the overall needs of the area and use all of our resources to maximise the benefits for the entire community.

"I have a wide range of reforms to change the face of our education system, to put equality at the heart and raise standards in every area. It is important that the leaders and teachers in our schools are given the best possible conditions in which to deliver these reforms.

"Also included in the projects currently underway are the exciting plans for a shared educational campus at Lisanelly in Omagh.

"Lisanelly and the shared education campus is a major prize for the community of Omagh and the surrounding areas and will have a positive impact on every aspect of life making a real difference in terms of economic, social and sporting regeneration," she added.

(NS/BMcC)