Project Nore schools investment
Senator Ahearn congratulated junior certificate students and then praised Project Nore, a major school-building programme that includes a new Gaelscoil in Carrick-on-Suir.
I follow others in their congratulations to the junior certificate students on their results this year. I congratulate their parents and teachers as well. It is a very proud day for them.
I will speak on education, so I have not moved topic at all, the Cathaoirleach will be happy to know.
Comment on this
I am learning. I acknowledge the announcement by the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, on Project Nore yesterday. Would the Leader agree that this Government has significantly invested in education, particularly in school buildings? Project Nore is a large-scale new building project of €250 million for seven new schools across the country – two in Mullingar, one in Newbridge, three in Kilkenny city and, most importantly, one in Tipperary, which is the Gaelscoil in Carrick-on-Suir. It will be eight new classrooms. This will be a huge development for the region and Carrick-on-Suir in particular. It is a statement by this Government and the Minister with regard to supporting and investing in education in rural Ireland.
I was at my local school last Friday doing the official opening of an extension in Grange National School. It is incredible. There is barely a school in the country that this Government has not invested in and supported. If we continue that through the next year or year and a half, I think we will see rewards from it in terms of education and kids developing. I thank the Minister for her support for the development of Carrick-on-Suir Gaelscoil. The eight classrooms will be significantly appreciated by everyone locally.