merrion street

Minister to also open over 20 classrooms in Galway bringing a total announcement of over €17 million investment in the County

The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton T.D., will today (Friday, 22nd Sept 2017) officially open Coláiste na Coiribe, Knocknacarra which is one of the largest Irish-medium post-primary schools in the country. The Minister will also open over 20 classrooms, spread out over 4 other local Galway schools, some of which are purpose built for children with special educational needs.

These projects amount to over €17million total investment and will benefit approx. 2,100 pupils in the county. This is a very significant investment in education in the local region.

Speaking about the announcement, Minister Bruton said, “I am delighted to be here in Galway today to open these state of the art facilities in the county. I have set the ambition to make Ireland’s Education service the best in Europe within a decade and ensuring our children are educated in world class facilities is key to this ambition. We are investing hundreds of millions every year under our various school building programs to provide new schools and extensions to benefit thousands of students across the country.
In 2017 alone:

Over €330 million is being invested in state of the art new buildings and large scale extensions
€75 million is being spent on classroom extensions to existing schools
20,000 extra school places are being provided

Today is a great example of the product of the investment that we are making. It’s a great day for the whole school community, especially all the students and teachers who will benefit from the use of the new state of the art facilities.”

Notes to Editors
Coláiste na Coiribe, Knocknacarra:-
This new school building for Gaelcholaiste is on a green field site and will cater for an enrolment of 720 pupils of both existing pupils and emerging demographic need in the area. The Department has provided funding of approximately €12.5m for this project.

Scoil Mhuire NS, Oranmore
The Minister will officially “turn the sod” on the first phase of a major project for this school which will provide for 7 mainstream classrooms plus an ASD Unit. In the case of Scoil Mhuire, the building project has been devolved for delivery to the Galway/Roscommon Education and Training Board. The cost of phase 1 of this project will be in the region of €1.5million

Oranmore Boys NS (Scoil Íosaif Naofa):-
The Minister will officially open a permanent extension to Scoil Íosaif Naofa. This permanent extension was completed in 2016 to provide 4 mainstream classrooms (replacing prefabs), 3 Special Education Teacher and a one classroom ASD Unit. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery and the Department provided funding in the region of €1 million.

Merlin Woods Primary School, Doughiska
Today the Minister will raise a flag to celebrate the school’s commitment to multiculturalism.

St. Brigid’s College, Loughrea:-
During his visit the Minister will also visit St. Brigids College, Loughrea where he will officially open the school’s permanent extension. This project consists of 5 general classrooms, 1 Engineering Technology/Metalwork Room, 1 Science Laboratory, 1 Home Economics Room and 1 Construction Studies Room. St Brigid’s College is a co-educational post primary school. In the case of St. Brigid’s College, the building project has been devolved for delivery to the Galway/Roscommon Education and Training Board. The Department provided funding in the region of €1.3 million and the college currently caters for an enrolment of over 600 pupils.

Coláiste Chilleáin Naofa, Ballinasloe:-
Minister Bruton will today officially open a permanent extension to provide 4 general classrooms completed in 2015. Colaiste Chilleáin Naofa is a co-educational post primary school. In the case of Coláiste Chilleáin Naofa, the building project has been devolved for delivery to the Galway/Roscommon Education and Training Board for which the Department provided funding in the region of €700,000. The schools current enrolments are 169 pupils