Five new schools and a college have been announced that will cater for more than 4,500 pupils in four different counties.

There will be new secondary schools in Kells in Co Meath and Wexford town, a primary and secondary school in Bray, and a secondary school and Institute of Further Education in Carlow.

The schools are being built as a public-private partnership and will be managed by private companies.

Speaking at the site of two new schools in Bray, Mary Dillion from the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board said they would be run by management companies for 25 years.

“It means all the facilities are managed. If a principal needs something done, he or she can pick up the phone and it will be done for them.

“It means he or she can concentrate on the educational aspect of the role, rather than having to worry about cleaning or the maintenance of the school.”