Ireland's Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has visited Davitt College in Castlebar, Co Mayo to turn the sod for the new building project.

The new sports hall will be named after a former principal, Joe Langan, a legendary Mayo senior footballer who won an All-Ireland medal and went on to train the senior team.

Speaking at the school, Minister O'Keeffe said: "The new sports hall will play a central roll in the college's PE programme.

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"It'll also facilitate the college's participation in the Mayo VEC Active Living and Learning initiative launched here today.

"The aim of this initiative is to enhance student learning and well-being by giving prominence to physical activity as a medium for learning and a foundation for healthy living."

He added: "This year, I'll spend over €600m on the school building programme across the country - a level of capital investment that reflects this Government's commitment to continuing the programme of sustained investment in primary and post-primary schools."

(PR/JM)