Funds for 12 Cork schools will see construction plans progress

This year and next year will see 12 Cork schools progress to tender and/or construction for new school buildings or extensions, under new funding announced by the government this morning.

The projects include the construction of a new building to accommodate 600+ pupils in Douglas for Cork Educate Together Secondary School, currently located in Griffith College.

Other projects in Cork city include additional accommodation for Scoil Ursula in Blackrock, St Paul's Special School in Montenotte and Scoil Cholmcille CBS on Blarney Street and a new school building for St Francis College in Rochestown.

Projects in Cork county include Scoil Iosagáin Infant NS in Mallow, Scoil Phobail Beara in Castletownbere, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide in Youghal, Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann in Midleton, North Cork Community Special School in Carrignavar as well as Árdscoil Uí Urmoltaigh and Scoil Eoin Primary, both in Bandon.

This is in addition to the 20 Cork schools where various works are already on site.

This summer, 35 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the summer works scheme or climate action scheme. In addition, since 2020 a total of 332 special classes have been opened in Cork, 26 of which were sanctioned for September 2026.

The projects will be funded as part of a €7.55bn NDP sectoral plan for education, announced by Minister Hildegarde Naughton today.

Cork minister of state, Jerry Buttimer, told The Echo that the funding would make a significant impact in Cork.

“Education is the cornerstone for opportunity in life, and as a former teacher I deeply value to role that schools and the school community play in a child’s life.

“For education to work, we need good school facilities and I’m delighted to see this further investment in our Cork schools today.

“I have met with many of the schools who will receive the good news today, and I know just how much it means to their pupils, staff, parents and Boards of Management to see these projects progress. I am proud to see this Government helping and delivering for Cork.” 

Between 2020 and 2025, the Department of Education has provided €767.68m in capital funding for Cork schools.

Over this period, a total of 157 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation.