Irish Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has officially opened a new extension in Gaelscoil Thómáis Dáibhís in Mallow.

The €444,000 extension includes two new classrooms and a resource room for the 238-pupil mixed school.

Mr O'Keeffe said the new extension adds to "a new modernity" to the school which is well known for its high standard of teaching and strong commitment to sport.

"My department provided €444,000 in grant aid which allowed work to begin on the extension last February and it took just eight months to build," he said.

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"Credit is due to everyone behind the project which gives pupils and teachers here a superb environment in which to learn and work."

The Minister reaffirmed that a record €656m will be invested in the school building programme.

He said: "Our increased spend this year demonstrates the Government's desire to continue investing in the productive capacity of the economy, to create construction jobs and to provide high quality school accommodation for teachers and schoolchildren.

"The new extension in Gaelscoil Thómáis Dáibhís is an example of how we are committed to improving school buildings despite the severe economic downturn," added Mr O'Keeffe.

(PR/JM)