The building work for a Co Antrim schools project has just commenced.

Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitríona Ruane and Bishop McKeown joined forces to greet work getting underway at Our Lady and St Patrick's College, Knock and St Joseph's Primary School in Carryduff.

The new building at St Joseph's Primary School, costing £5million is due to open in May 2010 whilst the college scheme - costing £22million to build on the current site - is due to open in 2011.

Speaking after the joint sod-cutting ceremony, the Education Minister said: "This is a momentous day for the pupils of Our Lady and St Patrick's.

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"Planning for this school began some time ago and it is with great pleasure I am here today to see the work begin."

The work on St Joseph's Primary School in Carryduff also commenced on Monday. Speaking after the ceremony, Ms Ruane said: "The provision of new facilities here at St Joseph's will help meet the educational needs of over 400 pupils in the Carryduff and surrounding area.

"Modern learning facilities are essential for schools to educate their pupils in an environment which will prepare them for a post-primary setting."

She also said that there are major, dynamic changes in education taking place and noted: "I have access to more public money than previous Education Ministers - every day of every week, we spend £5million which will lead to better educational outcomes for all children and young people.

"For both schools, today marks the culmination of years of hard work and determination from stakeholders, principals and officials to bring these projects a step closer to providing modern learning facilities for over 1,600 pupils in the north," she said.

(BMcC/JM)