A new building extension has been opened at St Colmcille's National School in Moone, Co Kildare.

The school was awarded €534,000 to build two extra classrooms, a resource room and an extension to the computer room.

Speaking at the school, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe said: "I'm delighted to be here in Moone to officially open the new school extension in St Colmcille's National School.

"It's an example of the government's continuing investment in the country's school infrastructure and our commitment to providing the best possible learning and working environment for students and teachers.

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"Of the €614m earmarked this year for schools, €352m will be spent directly on new school buildings and refurbishments, with the remainder on sites and development levies."

He said industry analysts conservatively estimate that 9.3 is the average number of direct jobs created annually by €1m of investment.

"The €352m we spend on school building projects this year will sustain 3,265 direct construction jobs based on this labour market intensity principle.

"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.

"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," added Minister O'Keeffe.

(PR/JM)