English welcomes approval for construction of new school building for Eureka in Kells

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Damien English, has today (Friday) warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn TD, that Eureka Secondary School in Kells is to get a new school building as part of the latest phase of the Government’s school building programme.

“This is a hugely welcome announcement from the Minister.   It will be warmly received by the people of Kells and the wider community, including those from Cortown, Fordstown, Carnaross, Kilskyre and Crossakiel, to name just a few. An entire new school building will be provided for Eureka on the site in the town secured for the project. It is due to be completed by the end of 2016.

“This announcement has been a long time coming; the campaign for a new school for the Eureka students and staff has been a long one, involving all political parties over many years. Everyone has been pushing hard for a new school to be secured, and today’s announcement will come as a huge relief to all involved.

“Eureka is an excellent school, with hard working staff providing a superb service to all its pupils. In particular, Eureka has a very proud record on extra-curricular activities. But the school has no doubt been constrained by its existing site, which is a mix primarily of old buildings and prefabs. The staff and students have been deserving of a new school for years, and I am delighted they are finally getting one.

“The building of a new school will of course not just be good news for existing staff and pupils, but it will of huge benefit to children and their families in the wider area who reach secondary school age in the years ahead. The entire community in north Meath will benefit as a result of this announcement.

“There will be a positive spin off in terms of job creation during the construction phase of the project. Nationally, 750 jobs are expected to be created as part of five school building projects. In total, over 4,600 students will get new classrooms under the plan.

“All of these schools are being delivered under the Public Private Partnership model under the Government’s stimulus package announced last summer. This round of school buildings projects has a total value of up to €60 million.”