Parents plead for Laois people power by signing a petition to reverse Government delay of new special school

A new campaign is underway to show the Government that Laois people want the Government to change its decision to pause the building of a new school in Portlaoise for children with profound disabilities.

The online petition is called 'Prioritise Kolbe!!' Started by Chloe Kelly, it asks people to please sign to save Kolbe’s new school. It outlines the reasons why.

"As a school community, we are devastated that our new school is now at risk.  We have been informed that the Department of Education is in talks with the Department of Public Expenditure to assess which projects are priorities.

"We urge everyone to express to all public representatives that Kolbe Special School is a priority. Our pupils have been sadly pushed to the back of the queue for too long, they are in a building that is blatantly not fit for purpose.  We plead with the community to stand with us to ensure that our pupils are not overlooked," says the appeal.

Here are some of the reason given by people who have signed.

Fiona Farley: It's well needed and a disgrace that these kids have to fight for basic rights.

Caroline D: The children that use this facility are in greater need of assistance than anyone else, they should come first, not last.

Sharon Hourihane: This is an absolute disgrace and shame on our government for their lack of respect , equality and rights for Ireland's most vulnerable pupils in special education.
 
Lorna Collins: This school has been promised for so long it's a disgrace. These children & staff deserve proper facilities.
 
Denise Leahy: I believed in equality in education for all.

Marie Kearns: One of the most deserving causes.

Martina Cleary: These children and staff deserve better its a disgrace

Denise O'Toole: The students and staff of Kolbe deserve better

While the school was told of the delay by the Department of Education, the move appears to have been instigated by the Department of Public Expenditure where Paschal Donohoe is the new minister.

He has said that a check must be made if there is enough money in the €12 billion National Development Plan pot to fund the building of the Kolbe school and over 50 others.

There is no indication as to how long this will take.

Minister doesn't know if there is enough money in €12 bill pot to pay for Laois school for children with profound disabilities

The Kolbe school has been costed at €9 million. Planning permission is in place and the Department of Education had given the green light. The school has campaigned for a building for many years as it relies on prefabs and does not have the correct facilities to accommodate the 40 children educated there.

Heartbreak as school for most vulnerable children in Laois put on hold

The online petition is located at Change.org To go straight to it TAP HERE