Builders have been celebrating the completion of a major educational project in Louth with the Dáil Minister Ruari Quinn recently opening the new €900,000 extension at Drogheda Institute of Further Education.

The 590-sq/m extension has an ICT laboratory, two lecture rooms, two dedicated rooms for Fashion & Interior Design, a career guidance office, a storeroom and a toilet block.

The Drogheda Institute of Further Education has 948 students and staffing complement of 50.

Speaking at the institute, the Minister said: "I'm delighted to be here in Drogheda to open this wonderful extension."

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He commended the vision and forward thinking in the decision to establish a dedicated centre of Further Education in the town of Drogheda.

"The impressive doubling of student numbers since 2004 is evidence that your decision was the correct one.

"This success is also due, in no small part, to the professionalism and commitment of your staff," said the Minister.

Concluding his visit to the Institute, the Minister said: "The historic town of Drogheda and the county of Louth have seen a lot of bridges, both literal and metaphorical, built in recent times.

"This institute is yet another bridge, an educational one leading to better opportunities for the people of Louth.

"Thomas Jefferson once said: "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.

"The students of Drogheda Institute of Further Education need to dream of a better future."

"Through access to a quality education they will have the opportunity to acquire both the professional competencies and personal skills to enable them to adapt to the new challenges of today's changing economy," he said.

(BMcC/GK)