The green light has given to a number of major school developments in Donegal South West.

A new mainstream, 24-classroom school and ancillary accommodation is to be provided for Scoil Mhuire in Stranorlar while a substantial extension and refurbishment has been approved for Deele College in Raphoe which will allow the school to increase enrolment to 550 students.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, has said approval has also been given for an extension at Holy Family National School in Ballyshannon to go to tender.

The extension project will include four new classrooms, a general purpose room and ancillary accommodation, in addition to some refurbishment of the existing accommodation with planning permission having been applied for last July.

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"The design team consisting of an architect, engineer and a quantity surveyor will be appointed for Deele College and Scoil Mhuire later this year. I have held numerous meetings with representatives from both schools who have made a compelling case for the need for new accommodation in both cases.

"These major projects are in addition to the ongoing work on small to medium scale works in schools across the county and indeed the country, funded by my Department. In this regard, applications for the Summer Works Scheme 2011 have been received in my Department and are currently being assessed.

"This is in addition to work which is either underway or largely completed at Creevy National School in Ballyshannon, Scoil Chonaill Naofa and the Pobailscoil in Gaoth Dobhair as well as the Finn Valley College. This Government has made a huge investment and transformed the educational infrastructure from Bundoran to Falcarragh with schools in all towns in the constituency having been upgraded beyond recognition.

"Close to €400m will be spent on school buildings in 2011.

"All of this investment will result in much-needed additional school places being provided, which will meet the needs of our growing school-going population, arising from the increase in birth rates in recent years, while also addressing the needs of many existing schools,"said the Tánaiste.

(CD)