Northern Ireland Education Minister Paul Givan has visited Scoil an Droichid Primary School in Belfast to view the progress on its major capital construction project and formally mark the next phase of its development.

The Department of Education is providing an investment of over £10.9 million to deliver a new build school and nursery unit at the former Ulidia Resource Centre site. Connolly and Fee Ltd were appointed to carry out the construction works.

Speaking at the site, Minister Givan said he welcomed the project "moving to the next phase of construction" after significant progress had been made so far.

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"When completed, the new school will deliver seven classrooms, a nursery unit and a purpose-built nurture room along with additional special educational needs provision," Mr Givan confirmed.

"This is an investment of over £10.9m in facilities that have been designed to help the children at Scoil an Droichid Primary School to learn, thrive, and reach their full potential." Construction is due to be completed in 2026.

Principal Claire Donnelly welcomed the development, calling it an "exciting new chapter for our school community and for Irish-medium education in Belfast, which continues to go from strength to strength."

She added that the children "richly deserve high-quality accommodation that reflects the standard of education and care they receive every day."

The new build will allow the school to establish two new specialist provision classes and provide a bespoke, purpose-built space for their existing nurture provision.

Minister Givan commended all stakeholders who had worked hard to bring the project from initial design and planning and into the construction phase.