Statement from Terry Wright, Chair Foyle Ulster Unionist Association.

"The Ulster Unionist Party in Foyle welcomes the announcementof funding to enable the provision of new school buildings for Ebrington Primary School and Foyle College.

Both schools have a long and distinguished record ineducating the young people of the city and the party has no doubt that the newbuildings and location will provide fresh impetus for the staff of both schools as they move, after undue delay, to meet the educational needs of a new generation of young learners.

The leadership of both schools is to be congratulated fortheir persistence in pursuing their objective to eventually achieve success.

The developments in regard to Foyle College will inparticular address the inequality that has resulted, for young people from the broader PUL community, as a result of the Entitlement Framework, the development of the Foyle Learning Community and the rationalization plans for Maintained schools in the city.

The Ulster Unionist party in Foyle has been working for over two years with the support of Party leaders and Education spokespersons, past and present,  to address this issue with the Minister of Education,the Equality Commission, the WELB and DENI and is therefore happy to note a successful outcome.

The re-location of Foyle College should also facilitatedevelopments at the University of Ulster at Magee and this can act as acatalyst for economic and educational re-generation

There are other broader educational issues to address suchas low and under-achievement, shared education, the governance of schools andthe knock-effects of Area-based planning but for now the latest news should be welcomed.

Finally, the party is of the view that where possible the building of the new schools should be used to support the local economy and employ local expertise and skills."

-ENDS-