Progress made on new St Michael's School in Skerries
The €15 million state-of-the-art facility is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O'Leary, has helped turn the sod on a brand new, purpose-built facility on a new greenfield site in Skerries for St Michael’s House.
Construction of the new €15m school for children with special education needs will see the delivery of 16 state-of-the-art classrooms and will include specialised rooms for art, home economics/living skills, and woodwork, as well as a library, GP room, dedicated dining space, a sensory room and therapy rooms.
The project is generously funded by the Department of Education and Skills, and it is expected to be completed in 2027.
Mayor O'Leary said the beginning of construction was a hugely significant moment, with parents and the local community having campaigned for the much-needed educational addition to north Dublin for some 40 years.
He said: "After years of dedicated work and advocacy, seeing the spades in the ground is a moment of immense pride and satisfaction for our community. This new, purpose-built facility will make a tangible difference in the daily lives of students, staff, and families when it opens in 2027.
"Along with amazing efforts of so many parents over many, many years, I want to also acknowledge the hard work of my colleague, Cllr Tony Murphy, who as Chair of the Board of Management for St. Michael's House Skerries, has been instrumental in helping us to reach this vital milestone."
Along with the sod-turning, two doves were released to mark the occasion.
The Department of Education secured the chosen four-acre site in the Loughshinny area in 2021. Designed to support students aged five to 18, the new school is a crucial development for children and young people with special educational needs that will not only help transform teaching and learning environments, but also help broaden opportunities available to the students who attend the school.