New schools

English: Capital plan for education will see €4 Billion invested from 2016 to 2022

Bohermeen, Education, Enfield, Johnstown, Killyon, Longwood, Meath, Navan, North Meath, School extension

Meath schools and students to benefit from new facilities

Local Meath West T.D. Damien English,  the Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, has welcomed the Government’s new €2.8 Billion Schools Capital Programme 2016 to 2022 announced today (Tuesday 17th November) which includes some good news for Meath schools, and is part of the Department’s overall Capital spend of €4 Billion during this period.

This new Capital Programme outlines the details of the major schools projects that will create 62,000 additional school places nationally at primary and post-primary level to address future demographic demands.  Funding will also be available for the refurbishment of schools in older buildings that require improvement.  The plan also provides for important investment of €210m in IT and wireless broadband capacity in schools.

The schools in Meath that will receive major capital funding for projects include:

Meath 18106P
    SN Na Trionoide Naofa, Lios Muilinn
 Primary
Meath 19560T
    St Mary’s Special School, Johnstown, Navan
 Special School
Meath 19671F
    St Paul’s NS, Abbeylands, Navan
 Primary
Meath 19813W
    Kildalkey Central NS
 Primary
Meath 64410F
    Eureka Secondary School, Kells
 Post Primary
Meath 16100Q
    Mercy Convent NS, Navan
 Primary
Meath 20032B
    Dunboyne Junior NS
 Primary
Meath 20033D
    Dunboyne Senior NS
 Primary
Meath 20352S
    Ard Rí Community NS
 Primary
Meath 71980O
    O’Carolan College, Nobber
 Post Primary
Meath 91508C
    Boyne Community School, Trim
 Post Primary
Meath 19216E
    St. Ultan’s Special School, Navan
 Special School
Meath 20191V
    St. Peter’s COI NS, Dunboyne
 Primary
Meath 64360Q
    St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School, Navan
 Post Primary
Meath 64420I
    Franciscan College, Gormanston
 Post Primary
Meath 64450R
    Scoil Mhuire, Trim
 Post Primary
Meath 76374U
    ETB Dunboyne College
 Post Primary
Meath 91495T
    Ashbourne Community School
 Post Primary
Meath 76196W
    De Lacy College, Ashbourne
 Post Primary

“This is a very significant investment for education locally in Meath and indeed nationally.  We are responding to local needs and reaffirming commitments outstanding from the previous plan and ensuring the right funding is in place.  This represents a very clear and strategic choice by this Government and shows the importance of education and schools to the life of our country as well as education’s importance to our overall economy” Minister English said.

Enfield

“Enfield is included under the category ‘other areas where additional provision may be required’.  A range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under ongoing review.  At post-primary level, it is apparent at this point that this ongoing demographic analysis will include areas such as Enfield (Kilcock feeder area). Additional provision may be required post 2018 based on this ongoing analysis. I am glad that Enfield is now recognised as an area under consideration given the growth in primary school pupils in the town and its environs” Minister English said.
Minister English noted this new plan is capital funding, money for major new infrastructural projects, and is different from day to day spending in education, which will also grow in line with the expanding economy.  Schools that require additional school classrooms or other minor accommodation works continue to be progressed through the usual channels outside of this major capital programme.
“This new Schools Capital Programme (2016-2022) will build on this Government’s current 5 year programme.  In this regard I want to confirm that Phase 2 of Colaiste na Mí in Johnstown, St. Mary’s Special School in Navan and St. Pauls National School have funding ring fenced for the delivery of the new school buildings.  It is especially pleasing to see that planning permission for Colaiste na Mí phase 2 and St. Mary’s Special School has been lodged last week” Minister English said.
He stated that an additional 60,000 school places at primary and post-primary level have already been provided by this Government since 2011 through new build and extensions projects, including many in Co. Meath.  He highlighted schools such as Beaufort College, Baconstown N.S., Killyon NS, Bohermeen NS & Longwood that have seen great developments recently in their educational facilities.
“The quality of these new purpose built school building projects in Meath is top class and they provide our youngest generation with a fantastic learning environment” stated Minister English.

“This Government is increasing both current and capital investment in education in a safe and sustainable way in line with our growing economy, and so as to future proof our economy and the skill set of our younger generation.  This will benefit all our citizens, with a very positive impact on our economic, social and cultural life, especially in towns and parishes in across Co. Meath” concluded Minister English.