The Minister for Education has given approval to Kolbe Special School to appoint a contractor for the new Kolbe Special School building in Portlaoise.
The school can now proceed to sign a contract with a contractor and organise the contractor to move on-site to begin construction works.
The timeline to build this new school is 18 months.
The construction of the new school building must be completed by the contractor before September 2025, so that the new school will be ready for the children and staff to move into in September 2025.
Deputy Sean Fleming and local Fianna Fail Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald welcomed the news.
Deputy Fleming said: “This is a very good day for the children and all involved in Kolbe Special School.
“There is now a clear end date for when the new school will be built.
“Thank you to the school management, teachers and staff, parents and everyone involved for all their hard work to get this project to this stage.
“I would also like to thank the Minister for Education for engaging with me on this issue on numerous occasions to ensure that a new school building project would be approved for Kolbe Special School.
“During the last general election, I gave my commitment and promised to deliver a new school for Kolbe Special School.
“When Sean Fleming makes a promise, he delivers on it.”
Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan said: “I am particularly happy that the ESB works have been completed, the letter of intent has now issued.
“The successful contractor is now being informed. I expect arrangements will be made for works to start without delay.”
SEE ALSO – Portlaoise Panthers forced to evacuate St Mary’s Hall on Saturday night and plea for help
