€4m Cork School Opens

A new €4m eight-classroom school has been opened in Rochestown, Co Cork.

The Scoil Phádraig Naofa building includes three special education tuition rooms, general office, staff room, ancillary and car parking space, and play areas.

Officially opening the scheme, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe said: "The need for a new school in Rochestown emerged in response to sharp demographic growth, particularly as young families moved into the area."


A local start-up committee began work in autumn 2006, which spearheaded the recognition process, which concluded successfully last April.

'"The committee ensured that temporary accommodation was ready in time for last September when the first children began their primary education in Rochestown," said Mr O'Keeffe.

Building work commenced in January and was completed within 21 weeks.

Minister O'Keeffe acknowledged the work of his Government colleagues in the Dáil, TDs Minister Micheál Martin and Michael McGrath, for their efforts to deliver the project.

"The multi-annual budget for school buildings this year is €614m," he said.

"Since taking office last May, I've announced 78 large-scale projects to start construction this year," added the minister.

(PR/BMcC)