Westmeath schools will benefit government building projects

Major school investment projects in Westmeath have been given the green light by the new School Buildings Plan announced today, Tuesday.

Eight of those are local and the school building projects which will proceed to construction between 2016 and 2021 are as follows:

Meán Scoil an Chlochair, Kilbeggan, St Finian’s College, Mullingar, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge, Castlepollard Vocational College, Moate Community School, Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, Delvin, Gaelscoil on Choilín, Mullingar, and Saplings Special School, Mullingar.

Welcoming the news, Willie Penrose said he is extremely pleased that Longford/Westmeath has featured so strongly in the much-anticipated School Capital Plan and that Minister Jan O’Sullivan has prioritised a number of critical projects.

“As a local Labour TD, I have been tirelessly working with Minister O’Sullivan on behalf of schools in the community, highlighting the need for greater investment and better education infrastructure.

“Therefore I’m glad to see good news emerge for the locality today because I know it will vastly benefit pupils and teachers alike.

“Not only will the improvements to school buildings benefit local pupils by ensuring they are educated in modern surroundings, but it will also benefit the local construction industry,” said Deputy Penrose.

“Despite the obvious financial challenges of the last few years, Labour in Government have delivered the largest ever school investment programme in the history of the State, and I am pleased that our county is benefitting in a significant way from that,” he said.