l-r: Mary Stamp, Mary Hyland, Peter Creedon (principal), John Colloton, Gayle Jordan, Andy Doyle (vice-principal) and Margaret Murphy at St. Aidan’s Primary School. Pic: John Walsh
A MULTI-MILLION investment has been made into three Enniscorthy schools, benefitting hundreds of local children.
Minister for Education and Skills, Ruarí Quinn TD announced last week that two Enniscorthy schools – St. Aidan’s Primary School and Colaiste Abbain, Adamstown Vocational School – are included in the Government’s ‘Investing in Infrastructure & Jobs’ Package, which is enabling 28 new school building projects across the country to go ahead.
Additionally, yesterday it was revealed that a third school, Boolavogue NS is to get permanent accommodation as part of the prefab replacement scheme.
Carmel Tuohy, Senan Lillis (principal), Patricia O’Connor and Mairead Colfer at Colaiste Abbain, Adamstown Vocational School. Pic: John Walsh
Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe TD strongly welcomed these announcements: “I’m delighted that these schools are included in this allocation. I have recently visited St Aidans in Enniscorthy and Colaiste Abbain in Adamstown and I know how important that this work is to the teachers and parents in both schools. Extensive architectural planning is complete so they can progress quickly to tender and construction before the end of this year.
“These projects were not part of the Five Year Plan; they have continued to progress through architectural planning, and we are delighted to announce that additional funding means they can now proceed to tender and construction. We have always been clear that schools which were well advanced through the planning process would be best placed to benefit from any additional funding which becomes available.”
He added that he was delighted at the news of BoolavogueNS also: “This follows on from the success of the 2012 scheme which provided funding for the replacement of over 458 prefab units. The prefab replacement initiative last year has been a great success, with over €23.6 million spent to date, 30 projects completed, and a further 100 projects on site
“For years I have been battling to replace prefabs in CountyWexford schools as they offer better accommodation for students and savings for schools and the Exchequer, as well as providing construction jobs. We are now clearly delivering upon our Programme for Government commitment to reduce reliance on rented prefabs in schools.”
