Concern and reassurance over construction delay for Laois special school

Laois politicians have assured concerned Kolbe Special School of continued progress to get construction started on a long awaited new building.

The Portlaoise based school cares for children with severe to profound special needs, but they have to mostly use prefabs which are cramped and poorly insulated.

It is 23 years since Kolbe was first promised a new building, and seven months since site work began to move overhead electricty power lines so building can start. A contractor is close to being appointed but cannot go onsite until that work is finished. 

This week the school expressed hope that "Santa can bring a few diggers and builders", adding that their vulnerable students are still in "cramped, damp conditions".

"The ESB are still on site working on moving cables to facilitate the new school and the other developments in the area.

"We are awaiting word from the Department of Education that builders have been given the go ahead. The tender documents are with the Department and they now need to appoint a builder.

"It would be a great Christmas gift to us all to get this news before the school holidays! When we hear we will let everyone know, hopefully our TDs, Ministers and all in the Department can give us good news soon.

"For the time being work is nearly complete on a new temporary modular classroom and a sensory shed which will be our only sensory room, until we get into our new school. The main building has received some remedial work but the cramped damp conditions continue.

"Fingers crossed our Christmas wishes start becoming reality soon. We are all hoping that Santa brings a few diggers and builders this year! Thank you for your continued support we still need to prioritise Kolbe!," the school state on social media.

In response, two Laois TDs supplied a detailed update from the Department of Education.

Sean Fleming TD, Minister of State gave the timeline since last April when the Department approved the school to go ahead with tendering for construction contractors. 

By September, all tenders had been received.  

In early November, the consultants employed by Kolbe Special School submitted their Tender Report to the Department asking approval for their preferred contractor. 

This December, word is still awaited.

"This Tender Report is currently being reviewed by the Design Team in the Department. We all hope everything is in order so the Minister will be able to give approval as early as possible.

"This will involve The Minister giving approval to Kolbe Special School to appoint the most suitable contractor to carry out the main building contract for the new school. This new site is close to the existing school on The Block Road, Portlaoise," Minister Fleming said.

He said that "significant" works are still happening to move two overhead ESB lines and alter the road and roundabout.

"Works on the first line are expected to be completed in December 2023. Works on the second line will commence when the wayleave and licence are put in place between the HSE (which owns the site) and Kolbe Special School and the ESB. These works must be completed before the main contractor can move onto the site.

"The contract... cannot be signed until all enabling works are completed and full possession of the new site is available to the incoming contractor," he said.

In the meantime, the school will get more modular accommodation in early 2024, "due to the severe overcrowding and lack of space in the existing school. This extra space is needed immediately".

"The school is currently working with the HSE (site owner) to satisfy legal, health and safety requirements in relation to this additional accommodation. I expect the Fire Safety Cert & Disability Access Cert to be approved by the County Council quickly. The contractor for this work is already on site and ready to start as soon as these measures are in place. It is expected these works will take approximately 7 weeks.

"During the last General Election, I stated that getting a new school for Kolbe was my number one priority, I am determined to see the new Kolbe Special School being constructed on the new site.

"The students, their parents and families, all staff and everyone involved and with an interest in the school must be fully supported. I thank them for their continued interest and determination on behalf of the children, who above all are our first priority. I will work with them every step of the way," Minister Fleming said.

Deputy Charlie Flanagan TD gave further detail from the Department of Eduction.

"I’m calling on Dept Design team to visit the school before Christmas & meet the Board of Management.

"Kolbe Special School is a large-scale capital project, located in Portlaoise for a new eight classroom special school and appropriate ancillary accommodation.

"The Enabling works contractor completed the ground works for the ESB ducting in October 2023, and remaining works for the diversion of the ESB overhead wires will be co-ordinated by ESB Networks Ireland and the Design Team to allow a main contractor on site to progress the new school build.

"On completion of the ESB works, the Contractor will have approximately 1 weeks’ work remaining to make the site safe and to decant from the site to enable the main contractor to commence.

"The Invitation to Tender issued in April 2023 and the tenders to build the new school itself were received from contractors in late September 2023. Recent experience has shown that a Tender stage can take between 8-12 months from the initial Invitation to Tender, subject to no issues arising.

"Upon receipt of a satisfactory supplementary tender report from the Design Team, Department officials must review this tender report for completeness.  Only upon completion of a tender report review, can a Letter of Intent issue to the successful contractor whereupon the successful contractor has 42 days to accept this offer and a Letter of Acceptance will issue.

"The Tender Report was received from the Kolbe Board of Management and the Design Team in the Department in early November 2023 and is currently being reviewed.

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"Only when the Letter of Acceptance has issued is there a contract in place and all the contract terms and conditions apply.

"However, in this particular instance it will not be possible to issue the Letter of Acceptance until the enabling works contract is completed and unencumbered possession of the site is available to the incoming contractor for the new school building.

"The design team and relevant officials from the department engaged with the School Authorities on an ongoing basis during the design stages of architectural planning. At this current stage the design team primarily are involved in the tender process to appoint the contractor, ensuring the School Authorities are kept fully up to date. 

"Once a contractor has been appointed, department officials will be in contact with the school to advise them of the progression of the project and the ‘on-site’ start date," the Dept of Education says.