The Irish Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe, has officially opened a new €1m, two-classroom national school in Co Wexford.

The Ballyoughter facility, which opened in September with 33 pupils, replaces the old one, which was 120 years old.

The Department sanctioned a grant of almost €1m under the Small Schools Scheme to build the new school which has two classrooms, resource room, staff room, administration office and storage space.

Two basketball courts and a large green area are now in place, too.

On a visit to the school, Minister O’Keeffe said: "The new school is a fine facility that will prove to be a stimulating and modern learning environment for today’s students and those to come.

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"I want to acknowledge the hard work of so many local people in bringing this project to an end.

"It's an example of what can be achieved when people partner with Government in the delivery of local community-based projects."

The Minister said Ballyoughter National School was a central focal point for the local community with which it has had a unique attachment for more than a century.

He continued: "I want to pay tribute, too, to your advanced environmental awareness and I wish you every success with the Green Schools Programme."

The Department’s capital budget of €794 million this year will get hundreds of projects off the ground in schools and colleges across the country.

"As well as providing for all contractual commitments on existing projects, the €579 million school building programme will include a further batch of major new school or extension projects to proceed to tender and construction this year," added Minister O'Keeffe.

(NS/BMcc)