Today has been heralded as a ‘great day’ for Kolbe Special School as there has finally been progress on their hopes for a new school building.
Laois TD and Minister for State at the Department of Finance, Sean Fleming, says that Education Minister Norma Foley has authorised the school to progress to Stage 2b.
This is the ‘Detailed Design’ phase which includes applications for all statutory consents, including planning permission, Disability Access Certificate and Fire Safety Certificate and also the preparation of tender documentation.
The brief is to provide a new replacement school building designed for special needs pupils on a greenfield site.
The project, according to Deputy Fleming, will deliver a single storey building, providing an 8 classroom special school and appropriate ancillary accommodation including a General Purpose room, a Home Economics Room, a Daily Living Skills room, library and resource area.
Deputy Fleming said: “This authorisation by the Minister will be very welcome news to everybody involved and associated with Kolbe Special School, who have been waiting a long time for progress on this very important project.
“Today is a good day and I will continue to ensure progress continues for the new school.
“At all times during the General Election 2020, I publicly stated that the Kolbe Special School was my Number 1 priority school in the county. I am now delivering on this election commitment.”
Fellow Laois TD Charlie Flanagan welcomed the news and hopes to see work commence this year.
He said: “I welcomed progress on the new school building for Kolbe Special School.
“The new school for Kolbe is a priority issue for 2021 and I would like to see work commencing before the year is out.”
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