Major investments approved for Mayo schools

A Mayo TD has welcomed confirmation that a major extension has been approved for St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Castlebar.

The works will include seven new classrooms, a new purpose-built home economics classroom, new toilet facilities and a link corridor to the existing main building.

Works are expected to proceed to construction quickly and building contractors should be on-site in the near future.

Deputy Alan Dillon said: “The approval of a new extension for St Joseph’s Secondary School in Castlebar is the culmination of years of effort and it is excellent to see that work now progressing to the construction stage.

"The principal, Marie MacCabe, as well as the board of management, have worked tirelessly over the years on advancing this project.

"An expansion of this scale will significantly improve the facilities of the school and benefit the roughly 600 female students in attendance.

"The works themselves will also be a significant boost to the local economy in Castlebar with the construction work itself.

"This is the fifth project approved for Mayo by the Department of Education and since the start of June.

"Previous approvals include extensions to St. Oliver Plunkett NS and St Joseph's Rehins in Ballina, Ballintubber NS, Bonniconlon NS and a new playing court at Mulranny NS.

"All of these investments in our educational facilities around Mayo create additional capacity for pupils and better teaching environments.”

Deputy Dillon added: “In recent months, I have been strongly prioritising shovel-ready projects with government colleagues, as they are key to providing local economic growth and jobs around Mayo.

"I look forward to these works commencing in the coming weeks.”