Ireland's Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has opened a €180,000 extension to Castletownshend National School, in Skibbereen, Co Cork.

Speaking at the school, Minister O'Keeffe announced additional funding of €40,000 towards the cost of the building project.

A permanent classroom, entrance foyer and toilet block were built under the 'Rental of Temporary Accommodation Scheme'.

Under this scheme, schools can now build a permanent classroom using grant aid for the purchase of temporary accommodation.

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The Government has pledged to prioritise the schools capital programme which amounts to €614m.

"The target for this year for both primary and post-primary schools is 9,475 permanent places in new schools, 3,900 permanent school places in existing schools and refurbishments to benefit over 2,400 pupils," said Mr O'Keeffe.

"The announcements I've made so far in respect of large-scale projects moving to tender and construction will create over 30,000 school places,

"As a Government, we're committed to investing in strategic infrastructure and that means putting money into our schools and higher education institutions."

The Minister said prices for construction jobs are now coming in 10% to 15% lower than last year.

"So, as well as getting better value for money and building our capacity in physical educational infrastructure, we're creating thousands of much-needed jobs in the construction sector as part of the Government's plan to restore economic growth to our nation," said Minister O'Keeffe.

(PR/JM)