7 new school buildings and 6 extensions announced for County Wicklow

Posted March 12th, 2012 in Education

Wicklow to benefit from €1.5 billion investment in schools nationwide

Fine Gael Wicklow TD, Simon Harris, has welcomed the announcement today (Monday) by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, of a significant capital investment in Wicklow’s education infrastructure. 7 new school buildings are planned over the next four years, with an additional 6 schools to receive extensions.

Deputy Harris said, “I am delighted to see such a concerted effort being made to improve the facilities available for pupils in Wicklow, in line with the commitment in the Government’s Capital Investment Programme. Total enrolment in Primary and Post-Primary schools is expected to grow by roughly 70,000 between now and 2018, and it is vital to ensure we have adequate facilities in place to ensure the needs of each student are met.”

“New school buildings have been announced for the following schools:
• St Catherine’s Special Needs School, Rathnew (planned for 2012)
• Gaelscoil an tInbhir Mhoir (2013)
• Greystones Educate Together (2013)
• The new secondary school for Greystones (2013)
• Wicklow Educate Together (2014/15)
• Gaelscoil Chill Mhantain (2015/16)
• St Joseph’s and St Ernan’s, Rathnew (2015/16).

“Extensions have also been announced for the following schools:
• Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath (2013)
• Arklow Community College (2013)
• St David’s, Greystones (2014/15)
• SN Muire Is Gearard, Enniskerry (2014/15)
• Newtownmountkennedy Primary School (2015/16)
• Kilcoole Primary School (2015/16)

“Rising pupil numbers will put increased pressure on schools over the coming years and I am pleased the Government is standing by its commitment to invest in school infrastructure and taking pre-emptive action to alleviate this pressure.”

“This project follows on from the recent announcement of the €35 million project to be replace prefabs in schools with permanent classrooms. It is anticipated this capital investment will provide approximately 15,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs over the programme. Increased school capacity will also allow for the hiring of additional newly qualified teachers when the works are completed.”