22 December, 2009 - Minister O'Keeffe announces €250,000 for Coppeen National School

The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, has announced €250,000 for a major extension project in Coppeen National School, Enniskeane, Co Cork.

The grant will be used to build two extra classroom, convert two of the existing smaller classrooms into one larger classroom, and provide ancillary accommodation.

On a visit to the school, Minister O'Keeffe said it had strong educational record and deep roots in the community.

'Coppeen National School is a small rural school deeply embedded in the lives of everyone in the local community.

'It has demonstrated what can be achieved with collective effort on the part of teachers and a Government working to support their endeavours in difficult times for the country.

'More than that, the school mirrors the community of Enniskeane and nutures young minds as they prepare for the future.

'I am delighted to make this €250,000 grant available to the school and for what I consider a worthwhile and ambitious capital development project,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.

Coppeen National School has 74 pupils.

Minister O'Keeffe said his capital budget of €794 million for next year will get hundreds of projects off the ground in schools and colleges across the country.

'As well as providing for all contractual commitments on existing projects, the €579 million school building programme will include a further batch of major new school or extension projects to proceed to tender and construction next year,' said Minister O'Keeffe.

ENDS