THE redevelopment of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School cannot progress until additional funding is secured,  Education Minister Paul Givan has said.

The project, which has been eagerly anticipated by the local community, remains in the "technical design and pre-tender stage (RIBA Stage 4)", with no clear timeline for construction.

In response to a query from UUP MLA Diana Armstrong, who asked for an update on the project, Minister Givan confirmed that a planning application for the new school building was submitted in March 2023. 

However, a decision on the application is still pending, the Minister said. 

"Given the severe constraints on my department’s capital budget, regrettably this project will be unable to progress to construction without additional funding being secured," the Minister said. 

He also assured that he will continue to push for "significant additional and sustained capital funding" to allow projects like Enniskillen Royal Grammar School to proceed.

The Minister said: "However, I can assure you that I have and will continue to make the case for significant additional and sustained capital funding for my department, to permit projects like Enniskillen Royal Grammar School to proceed to construction as soon as possible."