The Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe was on hand recently to open a new extension in Reenascreena National School, Rosscarbery, Co Cork.

Minister O’Keeffe described the extension as "an important local educational project".

"Until last year, Reenascreena National School was a modest building with three rooms and two prefabs in the yard," he said.

"The extended and refurbished school now has three large classrooms with ensuite toilets, office, reading room, arts room, staff room, drama room upstairs and a wheelchair-accessible toilet and shower.

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"The school is heated by an innovative geothermal under-floor system which will cut bills and help the environment."

Over €460,000 was made available through the Government’s Small Schools Scheme Summer Works Scheme for the building project with a further €13,000 being allocated for high-tech computer equipment.

The Government’s capital budget of €794 million this year aims to 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/GK)