KILLEEN CONFIDENT THAT PERMANENT SITE WILL BE SOURCED FOR ENNIS EDUCATE TOGETHER SCHOOL

A number of sites have been identified by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as potentially suitable for Ennis Educate Together National School, Minister of State and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen confirmed today. The recently appointed Junior Environment and Energy Minister also expressed confidence that a permanent school site would shortly be sourced.

According to Minister Killeen, "The Department of Education and Science recently requested the Office of Public Works to source a site for Ennis Educate Together National School. On foot of advertising, a number of proposals were received and the OPW is presently awaiting a technical assessment report on the suitability of proposed sites."

"Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin has informed me that every effort is being made to locate a suitable site for the school", he added.

In a letter to Minister Killeen, the Minister for Education and Science wrote, "When a suitable site is secured the project will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme."

"I am acutely aware of the long-standing efforts by the school board and parents of children attending the facility to secure a permanent school site. I would now urge the OPW to present a list of suitable sites as quickly as possible", concluded Minister Killeen.

Ennis Educate Together National School, which is based on the Gort Road in the County Capital, is co-educational and children are taught from Junior Infants up to sixth class.

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen has received confirmation from the Department of Education and Science that building and maintenance works at 26 primary and post-primary schools across Clare will commence over the coming weeks. The funding allocated to Clare schools, under the Summer Works Scheme, is approximately EUR2.1M.

Clare T.D. and Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen said, "Under this year's Summer Works Scheme 19 local National Schools and 7 Post-Primary Schools will benefit from projects to upgrade buildings and facilities. The developments that have been sanctioned relate to electrical, maintenance and conversion works. These projects will be of great benefit to the schools concerned and I commend the Department of Education and Science for its work in this area."

Minister Killeen added, "The purpose of the Summer Works Scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. Under the terms of the Scheme, school authorities are empowered to manage these works with guidance from and minimal interaction with the Department. The Scheme is open to primary and post primary schools with permanent recognition and in non-rented accommodation."

The schools are:
PRIMARY:
SN Mhuire, Feakle; SN Colm Cille, Inis Diomain; Cratloe N.S.; Naomh Tola, Shannon – Windows
Mullagh N.S.; Sixmilebridge N.S.; Cluain Draighneach, Lissycasey – Electrical
S N Dubh Rath, Caisean an Chlar – Access for all
Scoil Na Maighdine Mhuire, Cora Chaitlín; SN Iosef Naofa, An Mhaigh, Leacht Uí Chonchubhair; Kilnaboy N.S.; Quilty N.S.; SN An Phairtin Mixed; Killaloe Boys N.S. – Roofs
SN Eoin Baiste, Ballyvaughan – Repairs to cracks
Holy Family Snr., Ennis; SN Na Coradh, Mullagh; Moveen N.S, Kilkee. – Conversion works
Kilmaley N.S – Upgrade resource room

POST PRIMARY:
Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon; Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna – Electrical
Ennis Community College – Roofs
St. Joseph's Secondary School, Tulla; Shannon Comprehensive School – Toilets
Kilrush Community School; St. Michael's Community College, Kilmihil – Mechanical

-ENDS-

Contact:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government and Communication Energy and Natural Resources with special responsibility for Environment and Energy, is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High resolution image of Minister Killeen available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
00353-656839692 (Fax)