Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has provided an update on the new building for Dunamase College.
The Minister was in Laois today on a whistle-stop tour of the county where she visited a range of different schools.
While addressing the media afterwards, Minister Naughton was asked about Dunamase College which was granted planning permission last week.
The facility will cater for 1,000 students and be accessed off the Timahoe/Well Road as well as off the Portlaoise South Orbital Road close to the access point for the current Gaelscoil and Portlaoise Educate Together campus.
Minister Naughton was asked for a timeline on when the new building is likely to be ready.
She said: “This is a really important project and it’s also important to acknowledge the investment that has gone into Laois since 2020.
“From 2020 to 2025, there’s €144 million invested in education, supports in school buildings and extensions and new buildings.
“I’m very aware of the pressures, the demographics, the demand here in this county for school places, and that’s something that is to the forefront of my mind.
“So what I would say is we’ve just launched our national development plan, so there’s two new buildings that were announced as part of that, really important.
“So they’ll go to tender and construction in 2026 and 2027, that’s the first tranche of our national development plan.
“This is a plan right up to 2030. So the department now will be working with schools right across the country, again looking at the demographics, looking at housing in the area, looking at future demand to make sure that we can progress those priority building projects into the future.”
The Minister was in Laois to announce the first tranche of in-school therapists in our special schools.
There will now be 45 schools across 16 counties, including Kolbe in Laois, where there will be therapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, in the school.
This means that students can avail of these services in school rather than having to go outside.
The Minister visited Portlaoise College, Portlaoise Educate Together, Gaelscoil Phortlaoise, Mayborough NS and Kolbe Special School as part of her trip.
Her visit to Portlaoise College today was to celebrate the official opening of the new modular building.
She said: “It is twenty years since the school was first established.
“It has grown to a school with over 1,000 students and that has to be a testament to the great work being done here.
“My department works very hard to ensure that every young person has access to quality education, and that our schools cater for all learning styles and provide support for any obstacles which may hamper your learning progress. Portlaoise College is a great example of how this can be done.
“Portlaoise College has a proud reputation for inclusion, innovation, and student engagement, and that is something you should all be very proud of.
“Schools thrive when there is strong partnership between students, families, educators, and the wider community and that partnership is clearly alive and well here.”
The Minister extended her thanks to the principal, Noel Daly, the deputy principals, the board members, the LOETB and everyone involved in making the visit possible.
Minister Naughton said she was delighted to visit Portlaoise Educate Together NS and to see some of the great work being undertaken at the school.
Minister Naughton said: “Portlaoise Educate Together NS is a wonderful example of what it is to provide inclusive education.
“The special classes provide additional support for some, and this means siblings and friends get to attend the same school.
“The school has grown considerably since it was first established in 2010. It moved from Railway Street in 2013 to its permanent home here.
“In 2016, an extension was built to accommodate two special classes, and this year’s addition to the school buildings shows just how popular your school is. The numbers of pupils enrolling is increasing steadily and that is no surprise.
“I look forward to hearing about their future successes, and wish them well for the rest of the school year.
“I hope that the children in Portlaoise Education Together continue to enjoy learning and working in the new modular building.”
The Minister extended her thanks to principal, Darach Kennedy, deputy principal, Padraic Bourke and the chairperson of the board of management, Jane Heffernan, for welcoming her.
Minister Naughton is also paying tribute to teachers, dedicated SNAs, ancillary staff and the wider school community, during a visit today at Maryborough National School.
The Minister said: “Education improves our society, boosts our children’s potential and is integral to our economic success.
“Our approach to education is about giving every child an equal opportunity in life. Inclusive buildings like this one give practical substance to these ambitions.”
The Minister extended her thanks to: School Principal Brid Ann Buggie, Acting Deputy Principal Suzie Barry and to Hazel Conroy, the Chairperson of the Board of Management, for the opportunity to be there, as well as the current and previous Boards of Management for their ongoing support and their dedication and commitment to the smooth running of the school.
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