Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee opens new building projects as she visits schools in Meath, Kildare and Dublin
- Published on: 10 October 2025
- Last updated on: 10 October 2025
Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, has visited three schools in Meath, Kildare and Dublin where she marked major new projects which have come to fruition.
Minister McEntee this morning (FRI) visited Scoil Cholmcille, Skryne in Co Meath to mark the raising of the Green Flag and to open the new sensory room at the school.
Minister McEntee said:
"It is a great honour to be here with you as the Green Flag is officially raised and to celebrate the opening of your new sensory room.
“The Green School programme challenges schools to make a real difference in the way we live, work and learn. Earning a Green Flag is no small task. To achieve it once is great but to raise a Green Flag for the seventh time is an outstanding achievement.
“Today, we are also marking the opening of your new sensory room. This is a space designed to support learning, calm, creativity and wellbeing. It is a space for those who may need some quiet time, some space to regulate feelings and to engage the senses in new ways. It ensures everyone can access all the school has to offer academically, socially, actively and creatively while attending Scoil Cholmcille.”
Minister McEntee extended her thanks to the principal, Tom Brennan, deputy principal, Gráinne Harrington, and the chairperson of the board of management, Christy O’Connor, for welcoming her. The Minister also paid tribute to staff and teachers at the school for their dedication and commitment to the students.
Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested:
* Over €431m supporting the completion of 67 school building projects with a further 25 in construction in Meath.
Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas, Co Kildare
Minister McEntee also visited the Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas, Co Kildare to officially open their new school building today (FRI).
Minister McEntee said:
“It is a great honour to be here with you to celebrate the official opening of your new school building. I am very honoured and proud of the role my department has played in providing you with the state-of-the-art building and facilities to support the great work of the school.
“The new development, with 30 bright, modern classrooms, new learning spaces, a sensory room, two autism classes and communal spaces, which have already been the canvas for wonderful art murals, represent more than just learning spaces. They represent opportunity, and investment into the future of every young person who will learn, grow and thrive here for generations to come.
“The new building comes to life everyday with the arrival of over 600 young people who bring energy, curiosity and enthusiasm in through the doors. They are supported by the wonderful staff such as cleaners, caretakers, teachers, managers, SNAs, and secretaries. It is the combined efforts of all of you who work as a team to support these young people to develop academically, socially and holistically, that make the Mercy Primary such a great place.”
The Minister extended her thanks to principal, Cathal Ruane, deputy principal, Brian Corkery; the chairperson of the board of management, Trevor Macnamara; and to everyone involved in making today’s celebrations possible.
Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested:
* Over €382m supporting the completion of 64 school building projects with a further 22 currently in construction, in Kildare.
Hedgestown National School, Lusk, Co Dublin
On Thursday, 9 October, Minister McEntee paid a visit to Hedgestown National School in Lusk, Co Dublin, to mark the official opening of the new school building and two new autism classes.
Minister McEntee said:
“You have had a while to settle into your new mainstream building as it was finished in 2024. The new autism classes are a very recent addition as they opened last month for the start of the new school year. Your commitment to inclusion is evident by celebrating the official opening of both on the same day.
“The two new autism classes will make a real difference to many families in this community. But it is not the building alone that provides inclusive education for those who learn differently. It merely provides the space in which the dedicated teachers and SNAs can do what they do best. It is the pupils who bring life and energy to these learning spaces. It is the teachers and SNAs who bring value to the classrooms.
“As Minister for Education and Youth, my department wants every child to reach their full potential, to discover their talents, to grow in confidence and to look to the future with excitement. This new development here at Hedgestown NS is a shining example of what we are working towards right across the country.”
The Minister extended her thanks to principal, Damien O’Donoghue, deputy principal, Lora Morrin, and the chairperson of the board of management, Liam Fitzgerald for welcoming her.
Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested:
Over €1.6 billion supporting the completion of 328 school building projects with a further 99 currently in construction, in Dublin.
Notes to editors
Since 2020, the department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. In addition, over 200 SEN Repurposing projects delivered maximising the use of existing accommodation while creating opportunities for inclusion and integration.