The new Kolbe Special School building project has been approved today to go forward to tender.
So says Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming who says he has got confirmation from Education Minister Norma Foley.
There was anger at the start of March when the Portlaoise school received news that their project had been ‘put on hold’.
A public meeting was organised and a march had been planned but it appears now that the project is back on track.
Deputy Fleming said: “This is the news we have all been waiting for.
“I have had detailed discussions with the Minister for Education, Norma Foley T.D. over recent weeks highlighting the special circumstances of Kolbe Special School.
“I am pleased that the Minister has informed me today that she has given approval for the new Kolbe Special School building to go to tender. This is indeed a very welcome development.
“This clears the way for the consultants employed by Kolbe Special School to finalise the tender documents. Once this is completed the consultants and the school can then forward these tender documents to the Department for clearance.
“The Minister has today given approval to go to tender and I hope this process can be completed as quickly as possible.
“Like everybody with an interest in Kolbe Special School I welcome this great news. We all share the same aim of getting the new school built as soon as possible.
“During the last General Election I, as a candidate, stated that getting a new school for Kolbe was my number one priority.
“This is still my commitment and I will continue to work with everybody involved to ensure this becomes a reality.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the entire school community and the people of Laois for their support for Kolbe Special School.
“Finally, the students, staff, parents and families of those who attend Kolbe Special School must be fully supported. I look forward to us all working together between now and when the new school is ultimately built and opened to replace the existing school building.”
Senator Pippa Hackett said: “While we had received assurances that this was in process, today’s confirmation that the Kolbe Special School project is to proceed to tender is a significant milestone.
“My thanks to the whole school community who have brought this important project to this point. I am well aware of how difficult some of the journey has been. Onwards and upwards from here.”
While TD Charlie Flanagan said: “I am pleased to confirm further progress on new 8 classroom Kolbe special school on a greenfield site at Block Road Portlaoise.
“Approval to go to tender has now been granted. Building on site will start as soon as possible.”
The school have also been informed of the news and principal Orla Mahon welcomed the news.
She said: “We are delighted after receiving offical confirmation that we can finally progress the new school project to tender.
“With this wonderful news, the anguish and turmoil of the last number of weeks is finally behind us.
“We now look forward to the progression of the project in the knowledge that our wonderful students are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
“We wish to sincerely thank our students, their families, the community, our public representatives and our staff members for their diligent efforts in advancing our objectives!”
