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New build projects for seven schools across Northern Ireland will now be progressed, the education minister has announced.

In May of last year, the Department of Education told 28 schools that were earmarked for new buildings that the process had been paused.

The department blamed budget pressures for the decision.

However, the minister, Paul Givan, has said that pause will be lifted for the schools in the worst condition.

He has written to the principals of the schools to inform them of the decision to progress the projects in planning.

The schools are:

"Children across Northern Ireland have the right to be educated in schools which are comfortable and safe, are of good quality and are properly designed and resourced to support their learning," Mr Givan said.

"We need to transform our school buildings so that they are truly fit for the future and can provide the best possible education experience for our young people.

"There can be no greater investment in our future than investment in education, therefore I will continue to make the case for significant additional capital funding for our schools' estate."

Mr Givan said consultancy teams will now be appointed to progress the programme of new build projects.