Education Minister, John O’Dowd, has approved the establishment of a twenty-six place part-time nursery unit at Orchard County Primary School, Portadown.

The Minister had initially turned down a proposal to establish the new unit. Explaining the reasons for his revised decision, he said: "The original analysis of the development proposal suggested that the existing provision in the area was sufficient as it was above the Department’s target level and, if approved, the additional places offered at Orchard County would therefore have had the potential to displace good quality pre-school provision already in existence.

"My officials have, however, reviewed the information originally presented to me in relation to the development proposal and have regrettably discovered an error in the statistical data used to calculate the existing level of provision in the area.

-- Advertisement --

"I would like to take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of my Department to the Principal and staff of Orchard County for any distress which may have been caused as a result of my original decision which was based on incorrect data."

The Minister continued: "Normally my decision concludes the development proposal process, however, it is incumbent on me to reconsider the proposal based on the correct information and the amended calculation presents a much lower level of provision for the area and therefore significantly impacts on the proposal. Having considered this and taken legal advice on the process, along with all of the other pertinent facts, I have now approved the establishment of a new part-time nursery unit at Orchard County Primary School.

"Every time that I approve a development proposal for a statutory nursery school, it creates extra pressure on the front line schools’ budget programme. However, I am legally bound to make a decision on any development proposal presented to my Department and in doing so I consider each proposal on the basis of all the information pertinent to the individual case."

(CD/GK)