The Minister for Education has been called to ensure there are no further delays in the development of the school building project for Whitecross School in Julianstown, Co Meath.

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Declan Breathnach, made the comments after the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education confirmed that construction of the new school is set to get underway in the first quarter of 2019.

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He said: "This is something which I have raised directly with the Minister since 2016. I raised a Parliamentary Question in 2016 and had been told that the project was ready to go to tender. I raised it recently again with our Fianna Fáil Education Spokesperson who in turn pressured Minister Bruton for action on the project. Yesterday officials from the Department of Education confirmed that construction on the project is finally set to get underway early next year. This is long overdue, but it's positive to see that the project is now moving forward.

"Minister Bruton must ensure that there are no additional delays with this project. This is something I will continue to advocate for. The new school building is urgently needed and any further delays won't be tolerated."

(CD/LM)