The Department of Education and Science is to provide funding for a refurbishment of the historic Model School in Dunmanway, Co Cork, to provide a modern, three-teacher primary school. First opened in 1849 it was here Sam Maguire, of Gaelic football fame, received his primary education.

Education Minister Michael Woods says that he has approved full-time status for the West Cork Education Centre, which will have a permanent home in the refurbished Model School. The centre will form part of a network of 22 full-time and nine part-time education centres which provide development programmes for teachers, tutors and others involved in education.