I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received an application for major capital funding from the school in question to construct a General Purpose Hall and to replace temporary accommodation.
Due to the competing demands on my Department's capital budget in providing essential mainstream accommodation, it is not possible to consider the school's application for a General Purpose Hall at this time.
The Deputy will be aware that over the lifetime of my Department's Capital Programme, it is my intention to replace all purchased temporary accommodation with permanent accommodation, where the need is established. To enable this development, my Department will be carrying out an assessment of the number of prefabs being used in schools to deliver the curriculum. This will also determine whether or not individual prefabs need to be replaced in the context of the long-term accommodation needs of each individual school. When completed, this assessment will quantify the number of prefabs to be replaced. The needs of the school in question will be considered as part of this process.
The position as outlined above has been explained to the school.
