Laois special school welcomes site works for new building
A Laois school for severe to profoundly disabled children has announced that pre-construction work has finally begun for their badly needed building.
Kolbe Special School shared their photographs of barriers and pipework, and gave an update.
"We can confirm that the enabling works have started on site," they said.
However the start of construction is still months away, with a callout for tenders yet to start.
"The tender documents will be ready to be issued to the shortlisted contractors in the first week in June. Although we have a long road ahead, it’s a small step in the right direction," Kolbe Special School said.
The school was approved to go to tender on April 12, by Minister for Education Norma Foley, which meant that final tender documents could then be drawn up ready to be priced.
The school gives education and medical care to 43 of Laois’ most vulnerable children in largely prefab units, with health and safety issues such as a lack of space and improper insulation.
That delay was compounded last March when the Department of Public Expenditure put their project on hold with 57 other schools around Ireland to review costs. A huge crowd attended a public meeting in St Mary's Hall organised by the school to hear of the poor conditions endured by the children and the staff. A street march was planned if the hold was not lifted.
The restruction was lifted in early April, when it was understood that ESB preparatory works had already begun on site.
The proposed new school, on a site beside the current building, is estimated to cost in the region of €9 million. It will have eight general classrooms, a Hall, specialist educational spaces, administration areas, circulation areas, and other ancillary accommodation.