Education Minister Anne Craine believes there is a pressing need for a new secondary school for the Douglas and Onchan area but admits it'll take time to get one.

Treasury Minister Allan Bell recently said the long-standing plans for a school at Bemahague would have to be given "careful consideration".

North Douglas MHK John Houghton accused the department of "baulking" at the project while teaching union representative Andrew Shipley speculated it was a delaying tactic to wait and see if pupil numbers would drop in the near future.

But Mrs Craine says she can understand Treasury's stance and says her department has to present the best case possible in order to guarantee approval: (audio attached)