A total of 41 primary and secondary schools across County Galway will benefit from improvement and enhancement works due to grants from the €30 million national Summer Works Scheme.
Under the scheme a number of areas have been prioritised by Minister for Education, Joe McHugh, including upgrades to systems like fire alarms and detection and emergency lighting, new surfaces on play areas and car parks, and planning for electric vehicle charging points. The works will be planned for and carried out during the summer to minimise disruption to the school communities.
The schools in east Galway to benefit are Kilcooley National School, Loughrea; Kilcoona National School, Killeen National School, Ballyshrule, Portumna; St Joseph’s National School, Woodford; Kilrickle National School; Coolarne National School; Tynagh National School; Kiltartan National School, Coole; Castlehackett National School; Garrafrauns Central School; St Oliver Plunkett’s National School, Newcastle, Athenry; Newtown National School, Abbeyknockmoy; Presentation College, Headford; and St Jarlath’s College, Tuam.
Connemara schools to benefit are Lettergesh National School; Scoil Mhuire, Béal an Daingin; Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire and Scoil Náisiúnta Briocain, Rosmuc; Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Brid, Renvyle, Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Padraig, Clonbur; Scoil Náisiúnta Muire, Letterfrack; Scoil Náisiúnta Bhride, Leitir Caladh; Scoil Náisiúnta Tir an Fhiaidh, Leitir Móir; Scoil Mhuire, Corr na Mona; Scoil Náisiúnta, Leitir Mealláin; Scoil Náisiúnta Tir na Cille, Maam; Scoil Náisiúnta Brighde, Castlegar; Scoil Mhuire in Briarhill; Coláiste Cholm Cille, Indreabhán; and Coláiste Naomh Feichin, Corr na Mona.
Schools on the islands to benefit are Scoil Náisiúnta Eoin Pol II and Coláiste Naomh Éinne, Inis Mór; Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meáin; and Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oírr. Other schools to benefit are Scoil Náisiúnta An Bhain Mhoir, Claregalway, and Salerno, Salthill.
Aire don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin, Seán Kyne said, “This new round of works for summer 2020 brings to over €70 million the investment by the Government in Galway’s primary and secondary schools.”
Schools improving play areas and car parking will have to identify a charging point for electric vehicles and include ducting for cables to avoid any future need to dig up car parks.
The Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney said: “These awards will make a significant difference to the schools involved. Climate action is a priority for all generations so it is entirely appropriate that schools show us the way and become champions for change.”
