merrion street

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today warmly welcomed the decision of the European Investment Bank (EIB) to actively support and assist the Government’s plans for investment in the country’s educational infrastructure.  The EIB is providing a €100 million loan to support the Department of Education and Skills’ capital investment programme.

Minister Quinn unveiled a five year plan Schools Capital Programme earlier this year (

) worth €1.5 billion.  This will see a total of 275 major school buildings projects commenced between now and 2016.  The €100 million loan being provided by the EIB will assist in funding this investment.

It is expected that the EIB loan will be used in the construction and upgrading of 35 primary and 12 second level schools around the country.

Minister Quinn said, “This decision by the EIB to loan €100 million to support the Government’s Capital Investment Programme is a very clear signal of the Bank’s renewed confidence in the Irish State and our recovery programme.”

“The loan will prove immensely beneficial in enabling my Department to implement our five year school building programme in the most cost effective manner for the taxpayer.”

“I want to thank the EIB and President Hoyer for their co-operation and goodwill and I look forward to continuing our engagement with the bank.”

The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union. It is owned by the Member States of the Union.

Werner Hoyer, President of the EIB, said “Without a good education, Europe’s children will not be able to compete in a global economy. This new funding, to provide thousands of places in Irish schools, will directly benefit children across Ireland and improve the quality of their education. The European Investment Bank is pleased to work closely with the Department of Education and Skills to address the pressing need to increase school capacity in Ireland to match increased pupil numbers.”

Total enrolment in Irish schools is expected to grow by around 70,000 students between now and 2018 – by over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post-primary level.  Construction work on the 47 schools supported by this initiative is expected to be completed by 2014. 

The loan will be managed by the National Treasury Management Agency on behalf of the State. 

ENDS

For more information please contact Sarah Moroney 01 8892162 or 087 7720570

Editors’ Note:

The following are among the likely beneficiaries from this initiative. The 47 schools (35 primary and 12 second-level) are part of the Department of Education and Skills five year capital investment programme announced in March 2012.

District School

Carlow  Carlow Educate Together

Cavan  Carrigabruise National School, Virginia

Clare  Ennis National School

Cork  Rathcormac NS

Cork  Gaelscoil Ui Riordain

Cork  Gaelscoil Chloch na Coilte

Cork  Scoil Phadraig, Rochestown

Cork Carrigaline CS, Waterpark Road, Carrigaline

Cork  Scoil Nioclais, Frankfield, Grange

Cork  Scoil Mhuire, 2 Sydney Place, Wellington Road

Cork  Ashton Comprehensive School, Blackrock Road

Donegal  St. Patrick's NS, Lurgybrack

Donegal  Gaelscoil Adhamanain, Letterkenny

Dublin  Stanhope Street Convent Primary School, Dublin 7

Dublin  Inchicore NS

Dublin  Mulhuddart National School

Dublin  Scoil Choilm Community National School

Dublin  Luttrellstown CC 

Dublin  Senior College, Dún Laoghaire

Dublin  St. Mary's NS, Airlie Heights, Woodview, Lucan

Dublin Belgard Ballycragh NS, Ballycragh, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Dublin Belgard Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada

Dublin Fingal Scoil Bride Blanchardstown

Dublin Fingal Stephenstown Balbriggan Scoil Chormaic

Dublin Fingal Thornleigh ET

Dublin Fingal Swords Holywell ET 

Dublin Fingal Blanchardstown West ETNS

Dublin Fingal Ardgillan Community College

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Holy Trinity NS

Galway  Oughterard NS

Galway  Tirellan Heights NS, Headford Road

Galway  Coláiste Iognáid

Kildare  Scoil Phadraig, Ballylinan, Athy

Laois  Portarlington Convent NS

Limerick  Ardscoil Ris, North Circular Rd

Limerick  St. Munchin's College, Limerick City

Limerick Kilfinane National School

Longford  Edgeworthstown NS

Longford  St. Matthew's Mixed NS, Ballymahon

Louth  St. Francis' NS, Dundalk

Mayo  Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet

Meath  SN Realt na Mara (B) &Realt na Mara Girls

Meath  Dunshaughlin Community College

Tipperary  Scoil Mhuire Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry, Thurles

Waterford  Gaelscoil na Deise, Grace Dieu Road, Waterford

Waterford  Waterford Educate Together NS 

Wicklow  St. Catherine's Special School, Newcastle