News

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Cavan/Monaghan, T.D., Mr. Brendan Smith has confirmed that construction on the proposed new school for St. Patrick’s College, Cavan could begin this year.

Confirming that St. Patrick’s has been included in the latest phase of the Government’s school building programme, Minister Smith said that he had been informed by his colleague the Minister for Education and Science, Mr. Batt O’Keeffe, T.D. that the new 625 pupil school for the College is to go to tender and construction as soon as possible, with the intention of beginning construction later in the year.

“This news is a tremendous lift to Cavan Town and a marvellously deserved recognition for St. Patrick’s College which has been providing the highest quality of education in the Town since 1871. The new school will allow St. Patrick’s to build upon its reputation for excellence and give it the most modern facilities which will be for the benefit of second level students for many decades to come.

The Minister also confirmed that this would be a major construction project and had the potential to generate much needed local employment once building begins.

“Despite the difficulties with the public finances, over €580 million is being invested in the school building programme this year. I am really delighted to be in a position to confirm that a very exciting new chapter in the history of St. Patrick’s College is about to begin. I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Principal, Dr. Liam McNiffe and his staff and the Parents’ Association and compliment the Department of Education and Science for facilitating what will be one of the finest developments for second level education in Cavan Town for many years”, Minister Smith concluded.