Construction work on a school in Co Cavan is to begin next year.

The work on the Holy Family School in Coothill has been delayed for over two years and the conditions endured by students and teachers has been described as "simply inexcusable".

Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher said: "The school building was so dilapidated that teachers were forced to take classes in hallways and converted storage rooms.

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"There are more than 160 students attending the school but the Department of Education has been dragging its heels in progressing this project. The commitment from Minister Finian McGrath is welcome, but we need to see the work get underway as soon as possible. The plans will see a new 26 classroom school constructed to cater for the demand from students across Cavan and Monaghan.

"I want to pay tribute to the students, their teachers, care assistants and their families, who have campaigned so strongly over the past few years to secure a new school building.

"Minister McGrath said he was hopeful that building work could begin in early 2018 – I, along with my colleagues Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth, will continue to keep pressure on the government to ensure that the project gets underway on time."

(CD/LM)