BREAKING: Expansion plan for Coláiste Mhuire approved by Department of Education

The Department of Education has given the green light for a major expansion of Coláiste Mhuire in Mullingar.

The project will include four new science labs, including two shared prep rooms, one art room and project store, a new home economics room, four SEN class bases, the reconfiguration of the existing two science labs into mainstream classrooms, the reconfiguration of the existing art room into a textiles classroom, the reconfiguration of the existing home economics room into a multi-media room, and the reconfiguration and refurbishment of the existing sports hall. One bay of the sports hall is to be demolished to make room for the extension.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Robert Troy says that it is a “very significant” announcement for the school.

“This has been going on quite some time. I arranged for Minister Foley to visit Coláiste Mhuire earlier this year to see first hand the challenges the school faces in terms of the restricted nature of the site.

“To be fair to the minister she set up a meeting between the department's technical team and members of the school's staff to see if they could achieve what needs to be achieved within the constraints of the site.

“I am not privy to the details [of the plan], but was assured that both parties are happy with what was agreed. Full credit must go to the school's principal Keith Quinn and deputy principal Niall O'Brien, who has been leading out on this.

“It's a fantastic school and this additional space is needed. This is going to help the school enhance its already excellent offering.

“I want to thank the minister for taking personal interest in the project and visiting Coláiste Mhuire to see first hand the challenges the school faces. The project is very much at the early stage, it's the initial approval, but at least we now know how we can move forward.”