Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton will turn the sod on a major extension at St. Gerald's DLS College in Castlebar during a series of school visits in County Mayo today (Thursday).

On her Mayo itinerary, Minister Naughton will mark the start of construction on a significant expansion at St. Gerald's, scheduled for completion next year. The project will deliver four additional mainstream classrooms, a construction studies room with preparation area, a home economics room and a textiles room.

The development represents a key step for the century-old school, which now educates almost 700 students, supporting its continued growth and modernising its facilities for future learners.

Speaking ahead of the visits, Minister Naughton said: "I am delighted to visit schools across County Mayo today and particularly to turn the sod on this important development at St. Gerald's College. This investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring that our schools have the facilities they need to support high-quality teaching and learning and to meet the needs of growing school communities.

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"The new extension will provide modern, fit-for-purpose learning spaces that will benefit students for many years to come and support the continued growth and success of St. Gerald's College."

As part of the day's engagements, the Minister will also visit Scoil Naisiúnta Tóin na Gaoithe in Achill and Robeen Central National School in Hollymount, meeting pupils, teachers, school leaders and wider school community members.

Scoil Náisiúnta Tóin na Gaoithe has been officially recognised by the Department as a Gaeltacht School under the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme, an achievement celebrated alongside other Mayo Gaeltacht schools at an event in Westport in October 2024. To secure recognition, the school demonstrated it met language-based criteria including delivering high-quality education through Irish, taking part in the local language planning process and building community links to promote Irish.

Paying tribute to Mayo's school communities, the Minister said: "Schools are at the heart of communities throughout Mayo. They provide not only excellent educational opportunities but also environments where young people can develop, thrive and reach their full potential.

"I look forward to meeting pupils, students, teachers, school leaders and staff during my visits today and hearing about the important work taking place in their schools. I would also like to thank everyone involved in school life at Scoil Naisiúnta Toin na Gaoithe, Robeen Central National School and St. Gerald's College for their dedication and commitment to supporting young people every day."

She also conveyed her best wishes to pupils, students and staff for an enjoyable summer and every success in the coming school year.

Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested €166.79 million in Mayo schools. In that period, 63 schools have been upgraded through new buildings, large-scale extensions or modular accommodation; 16 school projects are currently under construction; 16 schools are approved for works this summer under the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme; and 52 special classes have been sanctioned in Mayo since 2020, including 15 for September 2026.