NI Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson has visited the construction site at the Belfast Boys' Model and the Belfast Model School for Girls, which are both in north Belfast.

Minister Wilson said: "The construction of these new school buildings is a clear illustration of what can be achieved with the right amount of commitment and investment. During what is an extremely challenging economic environment, this investment will equip our young people with the education and skills necessary to help drive the economic recovery.

"The Executive is continuing to invest record sums, Departments have indicated that gross capital investment for 2009-10 was £1.7billion."

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He continued: "This money is providing the facilities needed to deliver a world-class education for our young people. It can also benefit the wider community. The developments at both the Model School for Girls and the Boys’ Model School include sporting, performing arts and other facilities which are available out of hours to local groups and the broader community."

The sporting facilities include large sports halls, synthetic pitches, running tracks and track and field facilities, some of which are located at Mount Pleasant.

Both schools are being delivered under a Strategic Partnering Agreement between the Belfast Education & Library Board and Amey-FMP.

This consortium includes local construction firms Farrans (Construction) Limited, who were the main contractor for the new Model Schools, H&J Martin and Patton Construction. The schools were designed by local architectural practice McAdam Design. The total construction cost of both schools was in excess of £50million.

(NS/BMcC)