Education Minister Paul Givan faces questions regarding funding disparities between schools needing repairs and those receiving sports facility grants.
MLAs worried about the funds’ allocation because some schools have facility problems. The meeting with Givan got tense at times, lasting for two hours.
Givan rejected online calls for his resignation, stating he received extreme online abuse. Nick Mathison asked about influencing Lisneal’s application.
Givan denied influencing the decision, and the Education Authority confirmed this. He believes there was adequate project scrutiny.
£30 million went to controlled minor works, Givan explained. Another £34 million went to other projects, which included special schools; the total for these was under £1 million.
Pat Sheehan questioned funding priorities, contrasting leaking roofs with football pitches. Givan emphasized that health and safety are key considerations and suggested people can inquire with the EA board.
Sheehan suggested “cronyism,” which Givan denied. He stated he visited nearly 150 schools, also noting Sinn Fein members present on the EA board.
Cara Hunter described a crumbling school in her area and asked why a pitch received so much funding. She observed that schools feel confused.
Givan acknowledged that some principals also feel frustrated when they see other schools get new buildings while theirs cannot.
He accused MLAs of blaming Lisneal College. Hunter clarified they sought transparency regarding funding, saying it goes through the Education Authority to the pitch.
Hunter noted that some people online want Givan to resign, referencing his meeting with the Loyalist Communities Council, which sparked anger and his rejection of integrated school status in Bangor.
Givan described the online abuse as extreme and “unparalleled” in his career. He also criticized “misinformation” found on social media, noting some emails contained appalling comments.
