There are renewed doubts being expressed on a proposed new school project for the Strabane area.

Although new primary schools were originally planned for Ballykelly and Artigarvan, the Education Minister, Catriona Ruane is now less sure that the new-build for Artigarvan is to proceed.

The shock news comes after initial high hopes, when, last spring, work commenced on the first of several new school developments in the North West area.

The Western Education and Library Board then announced the commencement of building works for the new Lisnagelvin Primary School.

The contract for the new building work was awarded, through the Department of Education's Major Works Framework to Tracey Brothers, a partner in the FHT Consortium.

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A spokesperson from Tracey Brothers added: "The new school building is due to be completed and ready for occupation by June 2010.

"After this date, works will be undertaken to demolish the existing building and complete site works by September 2010."

Now, as that work progresses, an Assembly question from MLA Allan Bresland has uncovered the Minister's plan to have the scheme at Artigarvan "reassessed".

She said in reply, "in the current economic climate, the Department of Education needed to ensure that available resources were used to secure the best outcomes for all children and maximum value for taxpayers".

She hinted that the long-term enrolment calculation that will determine the size of a new Artigarvan primary school has shown a recent pattern of decline.

DUP MLA Allan Bresland branded the response as "entirely inadequate" and said "we need to be reassured that the building work for Artigarvan will not be further delayed".

In Co Antrim, the Minister has just approved the rebuilding of an arson-hot primary school, said to be after pressure from local politicians and the school staff and parents, angry that the building work had been delayed.

See: 'Green Light' For Primary School Rebuilding

(BMcC/GK)