Education Minister Joe McHugh has given the green light to a multi-million million euro new school for Errigal College in Letterkenny, Donegal Daily can reveal.
The project will see a new 6,600 square metre building with a complete refurbishment of the 2,200 square metres of the existing school.
Donegal ETB has been given the go ahead to expand school places at Errigal College from 450 students to 750 students as part of the plans.
The state of the art new Errigal College will help need the demand for post primary school places in Letterkenny.
The ETB has been asked to sign off on the deal before Easter and nominate a
Design Team for the project.
Details of the expected costs involved aren’t being released until after the project tender process is completed.
The Errigal College project is one of 14 capital projects being delivered for schools in Donegal.
In Letterkenny these include St Eunan’s College, St Colmcille’s (Boys School), Little Angels and Illistrin National School.
The Errigal College construction phase could create more than 100 jobs.
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh has confirmed news of the green light for a state of the art major new school building project.
“I am delighted to be able to confirm a hugely significant construction project for Errigal College in Letterkenny, “ Minister McHugh said.
“Donegal ETB and the school principal Charlie Cannon have now got the go ahead for what will effectively be a brand new 750 pupil post-primary school.
“It will give the students and teachers and staff top class facilities to learn, work and grow.
“Alongside that, a project of this size is also about jobs and investing in Donegal.”
The Donegal Minister and T.D. said: “Officials in the Department of Education and Skills have assessed plans and approved the major construction project, including a 6,600m2 extension and refurbishment of 2,300m2 of the old school building.
“Importantly the school will get a double Special Education base as part of the plan.
“Errigal College is just one of more than a dozen major capital projects for schools in Donegal.
“This Government is making hugely significant investment in our school buildings and in our children and young people and a project of this size will cement that by creating jobs for many parents in the county who might otherwise be in Dublin or London or further afield.”
Minister McHugh added: “I am delighted for principal Charlie Cannon and his dedicated team and also for Anne McHugh and all those at Donegal ETB.
“Donegal ETB will be responsible for procuring the design team and the day to day management of the project as it moves near construction.”
Local Fine Gael councillor Jimmy Kavanagh added: “I know well what a project of this scale means to the school community at Errigal College and people of Letterkenny.
“I wish Charlie Cannon and all his team and Anne McHugh, and her team at the Donegal ETB, every success on what is a hugely significant project.”
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