The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has informed Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary that she has given the go-ahead for the appointment of a contractor for the brand new campus at St Mary's Secondary School Ballina. Construction should get under way in the coming weeks.
Welcoming the news, Deputy Calleary said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be able to announce this news today. I have worked hard on this project for a number of years.
"The new multi-million euro campus will be one of the finest and most modern school campuses in Ireland - absolutely fitting for one of the finest and most excellent schools in Ireland.
"It’s been a long road but well done to everyone at St Mary's, principal Robert O Reilly, all the staff and the students, to the Board of Management and parents' associations.
"I’d particularly like to acknowledge the work of former principal Patsy Sweeney and the past students, boards of management, staff and parents who worked hard on this project and who never gave up despite many setbacks. My former colleague, Michelle Mulherin, put in huge work to move this project on also.
"Without the vocation and dedication of generations of Sisters of Mercy there would be no St Mary's today - we thank them and think of them.
"This is a major building project which should result in significant additional spending in Ballina. Good luck and safe work to all who will work on it and to all who will be lucky enough to go to school there in the coming years."
