To ask the Minister of Education (i) for an update on the Development Proposal for St Anne’s Primary School, Donaghadee; (ii) when her Department will publish their decision on the Development Proposal; and (iii) why a decision on the Development Proposal is overdue.

There are two published Development Proposals (DPs) currently under consideration by my Department in respect of St Anne’s Primary School (PS). DP 673 was published by the Education Authority (EA) on 22 January 2022 and proposes the discontinuance of the school and DP 683 was published by the EA on 16 June 2022 and proposes that the school will transform to Controlled Integrated status. The statutory objection period in respect of DPs 673 and 683 concluded on 21 March 2022 and 14 October 2022 respectively.

My officials are currently assessing both proposals and collating all pertinent information to provide me with submissions to assist me in reaching my decisions. A considerable amount of correspondence has been received by my Department during the statutory consultation period; accordingly, time is required to assess this representation fully before my officials can provide me with recommendations.

I am unable to provide a precise timescale as to when a decision will be taken in respect of the proposals; however, I am acutely aware of the need for a timely resolution in the interest of children, parents, and staff.

When a proposal for discontinuance has been brought forward under Article 14 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, alongside a proposal for Transformation to Controlled Integrated status, in accordance with Article 94 (4) of the Education Reform (NI) Order 1989, the legislation requires that ‘the Department shall consider both proposals together but shall not determine the proposal under Article 14 (i.e. DP 673) until it has made its determination with respect to the proposal for acquisition of controlled integrated status’. Put simply, a school that has a proposal approved for discontinuance cannot transform and, therefore, procedurally the decision on the Transformation must precede the decision on the discontinuance.

As the statutory objection period in respect of DP 683 has only concluded on 14 October 2022, I do not consider my decisions to be overdue.