Education Minister - Vast majority of schools to reopen

Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has said that only 9 schools which were to reopen on Tuesday will not be able to do so.

The Minister was speaking during a visit to St Patrick's Primary School Mayobridge where she met with the principal and maintenance staff who had carried out repairs at the school. The school is able to reopen as planned.

The Minister said: "As a result of a tremendous effort on behalf of principals and maintenance staff over the holiday weekend the number of schools unable to reopen on Tuesday has been reduced to nine. We initially had several hundred incidents reported but close co-operation at all levels has greatly reduced this number, thus reducing the potential inconvenience to pupils. My Department has been proactive in ensuring the arrangements which are in place to deal with emergency situations operated effectively and this has proven to be the case."

The Department of Education has been advised that the following schools which were due to reopen on Tuesday 4 January are not able to do so.

A full list of schools will be published on

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/news-dec-school-closures.htm and updated as required.

As this list will be updated, parents are asked to confirm directly with schools on individual circumstances. NI Water has advised the Department that no schools should be affected by interruptions of water supply during school hours.

South Eastern Education and Library Board - No school closures reported

Southern Education and Library Board - Bridge Integrated Primary School, Ballygowan Road, Banbridge

North Eastern Education and Library Board - Ballymoney Nursery School, North Road, Ballymoney; Slemish Integrated College, Ballymena; Riverside Special School, Antrim; Monkstown Nursery School, Jennings Park, Monkstown; Dunluce High School, Dunluce Road, Bushmills.

Belfast Education and Library Board - St John the Baptist Boys and Girls PS, Finaghy Road North, Belfast

Western Education and Library Board - St Eugene's Primary School, Francis Street, Derry; Drumragh College, Donaghanie Road, Omagh

Notes to Editors:

Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.