Laois TD Charlie Flanagan says that construction to build the new Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise will commence ‘in weeks’.
This was the conclusion that the Fine Gael TD made from the response to a parliamentary question he submitted to Education Minister Norma Foley.
Deputy Flanagan asked when a letter of acceptance will issue in respect of Kolbe Special School and if Minister Foley would make a statement on the matter.
On the same issue, Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley has called on the Department to honour their commitment.
He said: “The latest commitment given by the Department and the Minister to begin construction before the 1st July needs to be honoured.
“There have been too many delays with this project with promises broken on a number of occasions.
“I have consistently raised this over the years with successive Government Ministers and it is now well past time to see concrete being poured.”
In response to both, Minister Foley said: “The large scale capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is assigned to my Department’s ADAPT (Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and Tendering) programme.
“This project is included in My Department’s Construction Programme which will be delivered under the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 framework.
“Necessary enabling works completed on site in early April 2024.
“The Design Team for the project issued the Letter of Intent to the successful contractor on the 20th February 2024.
“The project is currently at the final stage of Architectural planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award.
“It is envisaged that the project will commence on site in Quarter 2 2024, with a construction period of 18 months.
“Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings.
“These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
“There are also 90 projects currently at the tender stage including a further 28 new school buildings.
“All of these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.
“This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.”
