Major funding for Southside schools

A NUMBER of Southside schools are to benefit from an additional

?¬50 million investment in new building projects.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, said the investment was part of the Government’s

‘Investing in Infrastructure & Jobs’ Package.

Of the five schools in Dublin earmarked to receive funding, three – St Mary’s Central NS, Belmount Avenue, Donnybrook; Scoil Mhuire, Lucan and Sancta Maria College, Ballyroan, Rathfarnham – are on the Southside.

All three will benefit from extensive refurbishments and extensions thanks to the new money made available through the package.

In total funding coming in at

?¬100 million will enable 28 new school building projects across the country to go ahead.

These 28 schools will be added to the 275 other major school building projects announced in March 2012 under the Five Year Plan.

The schools that will be replaced or refurbished have completed extensive architectural planning already and can progress quickly to tender and construction before the end of this year.

The department added that it is expected that over 1,200 direct and indirect construction jobs will be created through the projects.

Minister Quinn said:

“This announcement highlights the Government’s commitment to prioritising investment in school buildings.

“Despite our economic difficulties, the need to replace inadequate educational infra- structure remains, and this stimulus package means that we can continue to deliver for our growing school communities.

?

He added:

“These projects will see over 12,000 students and their whole communities benefit from state-of-the-art accommodation, not to mention the economic boost to the construction industry.

?

Senator Cáit Keane (FG) said she was delighted that Sancta Maria College, Ballyroan, Rathfarnham would receive funding to extend its existing building.

“This is a significant investment which will ensure that our students are being educated in state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities to assist them in achieving their goals in life,

? she said.

“Ireland has long been known to provide a world class education system and this announcement of a e100 million investment in infrastructure will ensure that we continue to produce a talented and skilled workforce across a number of industries.

?

She added:

“I have been assured that the extension of Sancta Maria College will move quickly to the tender and building process so that students will benefit from these new facilities in the near future.

“Planning permission has already been approved and I look forward to seeing the finished school.

?