Coláiste Mhuire Buttevant plan receives green light

APPROVAL by the Department of Education and Skills for a major expansion plan at Coláiste Mhuire in Buttevant has been welcomed by Cork East Fine Gael TD David Stanton.

In 2016 the school moved to a state-of-the-art new 335-pupil campus on Station Road. However, over the intervening years, the increase in the local population meant that additional facilities were needed to meet both current and projected future demand.

Deputy Stanton said it was his understanding the planned expansion at the school would incorporate four new classrooms to replace existing prefabricated buildings; three additional classrooms; two science rooms/preparation areas; a design and computer room; art room and two special educational-needs classrooms.

Deputy Stanton said all of these have been granted departmental approval.

“Although Coláiste Mhuire moved to a new school just four years ago, an increase in population in Buttevant and the surrounding area, and the quality of education on offer in the school, has led to a rise in applications for enrolment,” he said.

He pointed out that this demand had been temporarily addressed within the current academic year by the addition of four prefabs to cater for incoming pupils.

However, Deputy Stanton said it was becoming increasingly apparent that these would not be able to cater for the volume of local pupils seeking to enrol at the school.

“I would like to congratulate the Principal and Board of Management and all the teaching and support staff and students along with Cork Education and Training Board, for the success of Coláiste Mhuire. I am glad that this large extension will ensure the continued success of the school into the future” he said.