Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA has called for answers from Education Minister Paul Givan over a proposed £30,000 funding allocation for a football pitch at Richhill AFC in County Armagh.

Sheehan said that before Givan visited the club, department officials advised that school use of the proposed pitch was limited and any contribution would require a formal business case. Within weeks, the department described school use as extensive and argued for funding on an exceptional basis.

Sheehan has asked the Education Committee at Stormont to investigate the issue and to bring the minister and relevant officials before it to provide answers. He said there are still no clear answers about the proposed allocation, what processes were followed, what changed after the minister's visit, and whether any education money was allocated to a football club.

Sheehan said that at a time when schools across Northern Ireland are facing a chronic maintenance backlog, public money should be prioritised on the basis of need rather than directed towards DUP pet projects.

Richhill is a village in County Armagh. Richhill AFC is a football club based there.