Senator Mary Moran, Labour Seanad spokesperson on Education, today welcomed the announcement by Minister Ruairí Quinn that €39.7 million is to be spent on the construction of new facilities and the refurbishment of existing amenities at St Patrick's school, Drumcondra.

"I am delighted to hear that this major investment in the future of education is taking place. St Pat's was built to accommodate 800 students but over the years it has grown steadily so that the 2,000 students now studying in the college urgently need new and upgraded facilities.

-- Advertisement --

"This huge building project will see 12,000m² of new student facilities and the refurbishment of 6,000m² or existing facilities, thus ensuring that the teachers of the future will be equipped with the most up to date teaching laboratories, science facilities and lecture halls. The Minister has already announced changes to the content and length of teacher training courses, with more emphasis to be placed on teaching skills and on literacy and numeracy. St Pat's will be able to incorporate their new teaching facilities into future education strategies.

"I am also particularly pleased that the issue of accessibility for disabled persons is to be addressed. The project will provide up to 400 direct and indirect jobs during the two year construction period."

(CD)