EDUCATION Minister Ruairí Quinn has announced that Scoil Mocheallóg in Kilmallock has been allocated funding for a new school building as part of a nationwide €50 million investment in school building projects.
The scheme will see the 448-pupil primary school building replaced with a new purpose-built school housing state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities.
Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan said the announcement comes after a long campaign led by the school’s principal, staff, board of management and parents to provide a new school for the town and surrounding areas.
“This is a major announcement and a massive investment for both current and future generations in the area. This announcement will also be important for employment during the construction phase and will create additional activity in the town.
There is no doubt that the current school was in need of major repair and was not fit for purpose. It is unfortunate that forces outside the control of the school and the Department of Education have delayed this project until now”, he said.
Nationally 28 new school building projects will go ahead with 18 primary schools and ten post-primary schools to be replaced or refurbished. All are expected to progress to tender and construction before the end of this year.
Limerick Labour Party Senator James Heffernan said it was the only project from the €100 million stimulus package that was given the green light and it was a very deserving one.
“The current school has been run down for far too long and the building project itself should provide much needed employment opportunities for local builders and tradespeople who are currently going through difficult times. This, in turn, should provide a spin-off for the town of Kilmallock and indeed some of the surrounding areas”.
Paying tribute to all who were involved in the project to date, he said he was looking forward to the day when the sod is turned and building work will finally commence.
