Clare Senator Tony Mulcahy today welcomed the news that the Department of Education and Skills has approved additional funding of 379,000 euro for building extension works to be carried out at Scoil na Mainistreach in Quin.
The Fine Gael Senator explained the grant aid is in addition to the 800,000 euro already allocated to the school and will now enable the School Board to proceed to the planning stage for the necessary two-storey mainstream accommodation stage of the overall project.
According to Senator Mulcahy: “Scoil na Mainistreach currently has seven prefab facilities and the Department has previously acknowledged there was a deficit of mainstream accommodation at the school, which has seen an increase in students attending in recent years due to the increase in the local population. It has been clear for a number of years that the prefab accommodation simply is not sustainable. This is especially evident when one considers the fact the population of Quin increased by 38.7% between 2006 and 2011 while student numbers have risen from 148 in 2005 to the present figure of 260.”
He added: “The approval of additional funding for Scoil na Mainistreach is very positive news, particularly as there were fears the current economic downturn would have led to a subsequent decrease in Government spending in this area. The school has served the Quin community well over the years but it is time to push ahead with plans to provide staff, pupils and the wider community with the most modern surroundings.”
“I want to congratulate the Board, staff and wider school community for their commitment to securing the necessary finances to proceed with this extension project. Throughout the process those involved put a very strong argument to the Department which I was delighted to support. I now look forward to the proposed capital works proceeding through the planning stages and ultimately to construction phase. I will continue to make representations to the Department in relation to funding for the proposed provision of an Assembly Hall and Special Needs classroom at the school,” Senator Mulcahy concluded.
The Fine Gael Senator explained the grant aid is in addition to the 800,000 euro already allocated to the school and will now enable the School Board to proceed to the planning stage for the necessary two-storey mainstream accommodation stage of the overall project.
According to Senator Mulcahy: “Scoil na Mainistreach currently has seven prefab facilities and the Department has previously acknowledged there was a deficit of mainstream accommodation at the school, which has seen an increase in students attending in recent years due to the increase in the local population. It has been clear for a number of years that the prefab accommodation simply is not sustainable. This is especially evident when one considers the fact the population of Quin increased by 38.7% between 2006 and 2011 while student numbers have risen from 148 in 2005 to the present figure of 260.”
He added: “The approval of additional funding for Scoil na Mainistreach is very positive news, particularly as there were fears the current economic downturn would have led to a subsequent decrease in Government spending in this area. The school has served the Quin community well over the years but it is time to push ahead with plans to provide staff, pupils and the wider community with the most modern surroundings.”
“I want to congratulate the Board, staff and wider school community for their commitment to securing the necessary finances to proceed with this extension project. Throughout the process those involved put a very strong argument to the Department which I was delighted to support. I now look forward to the proposed capital works proceeding through the planning stages and ultimately to construction phase. I will continue to make representations to the Department in relation to funding for the proposed provision of an Assembly Hall and Special Needs classroom at the school,” Senator Mulcahy concluded.
