'This is a great relief for both school communities' - Burke

Minister Peter Burke has welcomed the news that funding has been secured for the expansion of St Finian's College and the delivery of a new home for St Mary's Special School, Delvin.

“I am sure it is a great relief to both school communities that negotiations have concluded successfully and the green light has been given to the substantial and highly ambitious School Buildings Capital Programme.

"Our local project of St Finian’s College, Mullingar and St Mary’s, Delvin, can now progress. It will see a combination of the mainstream and special education schools refurbished and developed on one site and thankfully plans can continue now to progress this major project,” says Minister Burke.

“We need this solid investment in our school places in Mullingar. I raised this matter consistently in the past when the funding issue emerged and I brought it to our Parliamentary Party meeting and most recently raised it with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Pascal Donohoe TD and Minister of State Josepha Madigan TD. We are dedicated to providing for the educational needs of our next generation and investment in schools, for all abilities, is a key priority for this government.

“I know this is a great relief for both school communities, I commend their dedication to the process thus far, and look forward to seeing further progress”, concluded Minister Burke.