To ask the Minister of Education to detail any (i) assessment that has been made of the level of unmet demand for integrated education at primary school level in Magherafelt; and (ii) steps he is taking to meet any unmet demand in this area.

My Department published the report Integrated Education Demand: Evidence, Insights and Limitations in May 2026 as part of the statutory requirements under the Integrated Education Act 2022. I have considered the findings carefully. The report represents an important step forward in strengthening the Department’s evidence base, and I am committed to ensuring that decisions on Integrated Education are informed by robust, system wide evidence and support sustainable outcomes for all children and young people.

The report shows that in 2025/26 primary schools overall across the Mid Ulster council area were undersubscribed at first preference level.

Integrated primary provision in the locality is in line with demand for places overall. Schools have been both over and under subscribed indicating available capacity is generally adequate. Where places are oversubscribed the schools have the freedom to seek approval for additional enrolment through the Temporary Variation process.

The Integrated Education Support Programme, published on 20 May 2026, provides targeted support where there is evidence of demand. It was launched alongside a call for Transformation, open to all non-Integrated schools, including those in the Magherafelt area.

While the Parental School Admission Survey 2025, which informs the report, was not analysed at constituency or town level, it indicates that the Mid Ulster council area shows comparatively lower levels of support, with 23.6 per cent expressing a preference for Integrated Education and 11.6 per cent supporting Transformation.