Six New Primary and Secondary Schools in 2014/2015
Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton has welcomed today’s announcement that the Department of Education and Skills are to make funding available for ten school building projects in East Cork. The majority of the construction will be begun in 2014 and 2015.
“For many years now I have been very concerned as to the lack of primary and secondary school places in the East Cork area. Finally, now, there are concrete plans to address the insufficient level of accommodation for school-going children through extensions to existing schools and the construction of new schools.
“Construction will begin on a total of six new schools in 2014/2015. One new post-primary is to be built in the Midleton/Carrigtwohill area and two new primary schools in either Midleton or Carrigtwohill. Three other new primary schools will be built, one to house Gaelscoil Mhainister na Corann, one for Midleton Educate Together and another to amalgamate the two existing boys and girls primary schools in Carrigtwohill who will move to a new premises.
“In addition to the six new schools, four existing schools are to get extensions. Two primary schools, Scartleigh NS in Saleen and Whitegate Mixed NS will begin work on extensions in 2013 and 2014/15 respectively. Construction of much needed extensions of post-primary schools in Midleton, the CBS and St Colman’s Community College will also begin in 2014/2015. All the second level schools in Midleton have been operating at full capacity for quite some time and these extensions in addition to a totally new school will really help ensure that schools can continue to cater for demand for post-primary places.
“All these projects are to be carried out as part of the Government’s five-year school building programme 2012-2016 which gives a total investment of €1.5 billion for new and improved schools. I am really pleased that such a large amount of projects are to go ahead in the East Cork area with construction beginning in the coming years. Midleton and Carrigtwohill were identified by the Department of Education and Skills as areas of rapid growth where many more primary and secondary places are needed. I am relieved that action is now being taken to ensure all children living here will be able to access a place in a local school.