The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today officially opened six new classrooms and four learning support rooms at St. John the Baptist NS, Midleton, Co. Cork.
The school was provided with a grant of €520,000 as part of the 2012 Prefab Replacement Scheme to replace existing prefabs with a permanent building together with some associated works.
St. John the Baptist NS has 221 pupils, eight mainstream class teachers, four learning support teachers, one SNA and one Principal.
Speaking at the school today, the Minister said: "I’m delighted to be here in Midleton to open these fantastic new classrooms.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to all involved who’ve worked so hard to bring this project to completion, the principal, Elma Huggard, Chairperson of the Board of Management, Daphne Spillane, staff, parents and the wider community.
The move from rented prefabs into these new classrooms will no doubt have a very positive impact on both the teaching and learning environment for the students and teachers in St. John’s.”
The €42 million Prefab Replacement scheme was first launched by Minister Quinn in March 2012, with further funding of €15 million announced earlier this year for 2013/2014 year.
The Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock T.D., who accompanied Minister Quinn, said: “The prefab replacement initiative has been a great success, with over €35 million spent to date, 108 projects completed, and a further 48 projects on site.
"Replacing prefabs offers better accommodation for students and savings for schools and the Exchequer, as well as providing construction jobs. So I am delighted that we are building on our Programme for Government commitment to reduce reliance on rented prefabs in schools and extending the benefits to all parts of the country.”
ENDS