A total of 18 schools across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from funding of up to £45 million to help deliver improvements.

Funding was announced under the School Enhancement Programme, which will support building and improvement works at schools in order to provide the best possible accommodation for pupils.

Twelve primary schools, five post-primary schools and one special school will benefit with funding.

Design work on the projects is due to begin immediately, with construction work expected to begin in 2022/23, the Department of Education confirmed.

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The primary schools advancing to the planning stage are:

• Botanic PS, Belfast

• Carrick PS, Lurgan

• Cliftonville Controlled Integrated PS, Belfast

• Glencraig Controlled Integrated PS

• Holy Child PS, L'Derry

• Irvinestown PS

• Kilcooley PS, Bangor

• Killinchy PS

• St John the Baptist PS, Belfast

• St Kieran's PS, Dunmurry

• St Paul's PS, Mica Drive, Belfast

• Strabane PS

Five post-primary schools will also benefit:

• Glastry College, Ballyhalbert

• St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena

• St Patrick's College, Maghera

• Sullivan Upper School, Holywood

• Victoria College, Belfast

One special school, Riverside in Antrim, is also set to proceed to planning.

Welcoming the news, Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan voiced particular delight at Holy Child PS in L'Derry being included in the announcement.

"After visiting the school, I met with CCMS to help ensure that Holy Child PS were included in the School Enhancement Programme," Ms Mullan said.

"For the Executive to deliver on commitments to Education, the British Government needs to live up to commitments made in the 'New Decade, New Approach' document."

(CM/MH)