Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, has opened a new school building at St Michael's House Special National School, Raheny, Dublin 5.

The eight-classroom school, which replaces the existing building, received €5.5m in capital funding from the Department.

St Michael's House Special National School caters for 53 students. It has a staff of 47 including nine Class Teachers and 18 SNAs.

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Minister Quinn said: "The event is a tribute to the efforts of parents to ensure that children with intellectual disabilities are given their rightful place in the world of education and can achieve their full potential."

Minister Quinn also visited Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Clontarf, where he met with second year students undertaking the new Junior Cycle in Business, Home Economics and Engineering/Metalwork. Mount Temple has been involved in Junior Cycle reform since its inception.

In February 2012, a survey of incoming parents found they overwhelmingly wanted to introduce the reformed Junior Cycle over the existing programme, with 96% of parents opting for the three subjects on offer.

(CD/JP)