Approval for new St Mary's Special School building

A new purpose built building for St Mary’s Special School in Navan took a major step forward this week with the approval of the Department of Education to move the project to tender stage.

Also approved for tender stage was the second phase of the major Coláiste an Mí secondary school.

The shared campus will be one of the largest educational facilities in the county and after a long period of work by both school boards of management and the LMETB the end game is in sight.

Minister for Education Norma Foley approved the progression of both St Mary’s Special School and the Phase 2 extension of Coláiste na Mí Secondary school to tender stage and the Department's Major Project Tender and Construction section will now be working with the schools to take them through this process.

Welcoming the news was local Senator Shane Cassells who said that there was now light at the end of the tunnel for the schools.

“I am delighted for both schools that Minister Foley has approved this tender stage this evening and that we have progress on these buildings at long last,” remarked Senator Cassells.

“This has been a long process, in particular for St Mary’s Special school who are in immediate need of a purpose built facility."

Welcoming the news, Minister Damien English said; “There has been a long campaign in Navan and Johnstown to get this project to move to the tendering stage. With the detailed design of the school facilities now signed off, the tendering process can commence without further delay. I will continue to support the schools and the LMETB in their work to maintain momentum on delivering the educational campus in Johnstown."