Works are to recommence on a Laois special school that has sat in a state of partial construction for over three years.

Saplings School for Children with Autism in Graiguecullen have announced that works on the derelict construction site are set to recommence this year.

Construction of the 1,200sqm school for students with special needs started in March 2023, and quickly came to halt in late 2023 due to a lack of funding.

Funding for the construction of the school was originally provided through the Irish Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), which gave 'high net-worth individuals' from non-EEA countries Irish residency, if they invested a minimum of €1 million euro to Irish projects for at least three years.

When this programme closed, funds ran dry for the construction of the school. The half-built school has laid untouched since then at the site in Fruithill, while students, teachers and SNAs are currently operating from prefabs.

Three years on, representatives of the school have just announced that construction is set to resume.

"Saplings School is pleased to announce a significant milestone in the development of its new purpose-built school at the Fruithill site in Graiguecullen, County Laois," a representative of the school announced.

"Following a period of careful planning and preparation, enabling works will commence in the coming weeks, with full construction scheduled to recommence this summer."

The school states that their professional design team and appointed builder are currently working closely together to ensure that all preparations are in place, and that the next phase of works proceeds smoothly and efficiently. The project received a formal planning extension on 10 September 2025.

"The development of the new Saplings School to date has been made possible entirely through the generosity of private donors, whose commitment and support have been instrumental in bringing the project to this important stage," the school said.

"Their contributions have laid the foundations for a modern, purpose-built facility designed to meet the complex needs of children with severe autism and intellectual disabilities."

The school also states that they have recently received notification of additional funding becoming available, following significant support from a range of stakeholders.

"This development represents a major step forward in ensuring the long-term viability and success of the new school," they said.

"While a funding gap remains in order to fully realise the original vision for the school, this latest progress brings Saplings significantly closer to delivering a state-of-the-art educational and therapeutic environment that will serve pupils and staff for generations to come.

"The resumption of construction marks renewed momentum and confidence in the project's future," the school said.

Saplings School have said that they wish to acknowledge and thank the members of the public, supporters, and political representatives who have consistently championed the project.

"Their constructive engagement, advocacy, and encouragement have played a crucial role in advancing the school build and ensuring continued progress. Saplings School looks forward to sharing further updates as construction progresses in the months ahead," representatives finished.

Independent Laois County Councillor Ben Brennan has brought forth several motions on the issue since 2023, calling for Government intervention to see the school completed. 

As recently as last November, Cllr Brennan slammed the situation as 'scandalous'.

Cllr Brennan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that he had not received formal word of the recommencement of this project.

"I'm happy to say that at last, our voice has been heard. There are children with needs to be looked after, and the school is way behind time," Cllr Brennan said.

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"No one had told me that works are to restart, no one ever came back to me. The Government has been able to give €10 million in foreign investments, while we have kids who have been left with no classrooms," he said.

"Kids should be in school by now, I was afraid of what was going to happen with that building. I really feared it being taken down, as it was left for so long without being finished. I am delighted to hear this, it's great news," Cllr Brennan finished.