The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has officially opened a new school for Ennis National School in Co. Clare.
The project cost in the region of €6.7 million. The school, at Ashrine, Kilrush Road in Ennis, was provided with a grant from the Department and was further funded by the Board of management to the tune of approximately €300,000 to enhance the building by providing a larger General Purpose Room, changing rooms and the installation of a playing pitch.
Speaking at the school today, the Minister Quinn said, “I’m delighted to be here in Ennis, to open this fantastic new school.
“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, Raymond McInerney, the Board of Management, staff, parents and the wider community are all to be congratulated for their hard work which made this new school possible”.
Ennis National School has 594 pupils and the new building is a two storey, 32 classroom school, with large hall, changing rooms, and ancillary accommodation on a green field site.
“I know that the school enjoys a very active parent community and Parents’ Council, who support the principal and staff very well in their work, so you should all be proud of this wonderful achievement,” Minister Quinn added.
The Principal is supported by 22 mainstream class teachers, 10 Resource/Learning Support and one Special Class Teacher. The school will open its first Autistic Spectrum Disorders Class (ASD) this September.
As part of an official visit to Co. Clare, Minister Quinn also visited Meelick National School, Scoil na Mainistreach NS, Quin and the new site for Tulla Post Primary School.
Scoil Náisiunta Mhuire Miluic (Meelick NS) recently benefitted from the Summer Works Scheme. An application for funds to refurbish its roof to the Department was approved last month, along with more than 770 other school applications nationwide. Meelick NS also received grant approval in July 2012 for three new classrooms.
Minister Quinn visited the site for the new post primary school for St Joseph’s in Tulla. In July 2012, it was announced that a new 650 school would be built. That school is expected to be completed in 2016.
