Fine Gael Cork East TD, David Stanton, has today (Thursday) welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn TD, that a new secondary school to be provided for the Midleton/Carrigtohill area will be run by the local Education and Training Board, with the involvement of the Catholic Bishop of Cloyne.
“This school has been sought by local parents and teachers alike for several years now, and it is very welcome to receive solid confirmation from Minister Quinn that the project is to proceed. The new school will cater for 1,000 secondary school students, and will be run by the local Education and Training Board, with the involvement of the Catholic Bishop of Cloyne.
“There has been significant population growth in the Midleton/Carrigtohill area in recent years, meaning this new school is badly needed. It will provide a high quality and modern education setting for thousands of teenagers in the years ahead.
“The provision of this new school, together with the existing schools in the wider area, will mean that parents and students have a choice when it comes to deciding which school best suits their needs.
“Despite tough economic circumstances, the Government has invested significantly in schools and education over the last two and a half years. Our school going population is expanding rapidly, and the Government is determined to ensure the school infrastructure is sufficient to meet the demands of this growing student body.
“I understand that the Department of Education will contact the local patron bodies shortly in relation to the practical logistics of establishing the new school. The Minister has said that this school, along with eight other new primary schools across the country, will be established in 2015 and 2016. I will be urging the Minister to ensure funding is put in place to allow for the establishment of the new school in Midleton/Carrigtohill as soon as possible.”
