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Smith opens new €4 million St. Clare’s National School, Ballyjamesduff
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Cavan/Monaghan, T.D., Mr. Brendan Smith, T.D., today officially opened the new St. Clare’s National School in Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan.
The new school, which is located next to St. Clare’s College, currently caters for 378 pupils and includes 14 classrooms, 5 resource / learning support rooms, a spacious general purpose room, staff room, offices and ancillary facilities. The Department of Education and Science contributed over €4 million towards the cost of the new school and €60,000 was raised locally towards the project.
Speaking to a large assembly of guests, Minister Smith said he was delighted to be present at an event which marks another important milestone in the life of the school and the town. He also outlined how the new school is a far more extensive development than was originally envisaged:
“Originally, the new school was to consist of eight classrooms and associated facilities. But due to the very significant population growth in Ballyjamesduff in recent years, it was clear that this would not be sufficient to meet demand. For my part, I was pleased to be able to work with the Board of Management, the Parents Association and the Minister for Education and Science to have a further six classrooms added to the new school”, the Minister said.
The Minister also paid special tribute to all of the former principals and teachers that have contributed so significantly to the education and development of generations of children that passed through the former St. Clare’s
The Minister also congratulated the Board of Management, the current and former Principals, and the Parents Association for their determination in planning for the new school and their commitment and dedication in bringing the project to fruition.
Concluding the Minister said, “I am confident that these new facilities will assist all of the staff greatly with their implementation of the Primary School Curriculum. And I wish you all continued success in your future work.”
The new school was designed by the Department of Education and Science’s own in-house team of architects, the main contractor was McCurran Construction, CS Pringle Ltd and Semple & McKellop Ltd also played a role in the construction of the school.
