New School Grants - Conway

Wednesday, 23rd May 2012

Six Waterford schools get grants for 31 new rooms - Ciara Conway, T.D.

Labour T.D. for Waterford, Ciara Conway is welcoming news from the Education Minister that grant funding is being made available to build 31 rooms across 6 primary schools in Waterford.

"This is very positive news indeed, and is part of the biggest initiative ever undertaken to replace rented prefabs in schools," said Ciara Conway T.D.

"Under the previous government we had a crazy situation whereby schools were spending a fortune on the rental of prefabs.  The result of that policy is that we have a legacy of rented prefabs in schools across the country, so we have been seeking to tackle this, as promised in our programme for government."

"This should save the country around €5m per year on the rental of prefabs – and hopefully it will enhance the learning experience of pupils, as well as making life better for teachers in these schools as well."

"I welcome the announcement of this funding, and I hope that it can be put to good use, so that we can see the benefits as soon as possible."

"This funding will also help create employment locally – as workers will be needed to complete the construction process."

Fenor National School and Garranbane National School in Ballinroad  are among the biggest winners under this round of funding as both of these schools have been given the go ahead to build 8 new rooms  each.   Fenor are getting the go ahead for 3 mainstream classrooms and 5 smaller rooms. In Garranbane, 4 mainstream classrooms have been approved, 2 learning support rooms and 2 other rooms.

Scoil Mhuire in Abbeyside in Dungarvan is being given funding to replace 6 prefabs with permanent classrooms.

There's also good news for Waterpark National School in Waterford City, who have been approved for 3 new classrooms and 2 other rooms.

In Ferrybank, St Mary's Boys School has been approved grant aid for a main classroom and 2 learning support rooms, while the primary school in Aglish is getting funding for a learning support classroom.