Expansion at Mayo school will see extra classrooms and a new science laboratory
Ballyhaunis Community School is set to benefit from a significant extension to its facilities, as progress continues on a major development project.
The expansion, approved under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, will deliver substantial new accommodation for students and staff.
The planned extension includes two new Special Educational Needs (SEN) base classrooms, five general classrooms, a new science laboratory with a preparation area, and a new art room with an attached art store.
Welcoming the development, Minister of State and Mayo TD Alan Dillon said the extension represents an important investment in education provision in East Mayo.
“Ballyhaunis Community School is a growing and diverse school community, and this project will ensure that students have access to modern, high‑quality learning spaces,
“The inclusion of a new SEN base, additional classrooms and specialist rooms reflects the needs of the school and the wider community it serves,” he said.
The extension project has been assigned to the school authority for delivery and has been progressing through the Department of Education’s architectural planning and design stages.
In the third quarter of 2024, the Department approved the project to advance to Stage 2a, the detailed design phase of the architectural process.
One year later, the Department received the Stage 2a detailed design report, and it has now confirmed that the submission is under active review.
Once this review is complete, the Department will issue further guidance to the school authority on how to progress the project to the next stage of development.
Minister Dillon described the update as a “positive step forward” for the school and committed to working closely with the Department of Education to ensure the project advances “as efficiently as possible”.
“The school community deserves modern facilities that support teaching, learning, and inclusion, and this extension will play a central role in meeting those needs,” he said.
He added that investment in school infrastructure remains a key priority across the county.
“Across Mayo, we are seeing strong investment in new school buildings, extensions and modernisation projects. These improvements are vital to supporting our young people and ensuring that every student has access to the facilities they need to reach their full potential.”
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.