‘We can begin to hope now’ progress to build huge €50 million Laois Offaly secondary school
Portarlington’s Coláiste Iosagáin, the largest secondary school in two counties, is 12 years awaiting new building
The construction tenders for a new building for Coláiste Iosagáin in Portarlington is finally being issued, bringing renewed hope for what is already the largest of all Laois schools and Offaly schools.
The school of 1200 pupils relies on nearly 30 prefab classrooms.
The new building, set to cost over €50 million, and fit 1300 pupils, is hugely anticipated, as principal Justin Brown outlined to the Leinster Express.
"The news that our new school can now proceed to tender is an exciting and important milestone,” he said.
It it the latest event in what has been a “busy and challenging few months”.
"In August we welcomed 226 First Years which brought our enrolment to over 1200, our largest figure ever.
"During the summer we had to recruit for two new Deputy Principals with the retirement of Joan O’Sullivan and the appointment of Brendan McGlynn to a principal’s position in Longford. They were replaced by two of our Assistant Principals, Conor Mitchell and Glen Brennan.
“As a school community we had a challenging start to the school year with the unexpected death of our young colleague Liam Hogan.
"In October we also had a Whole School Evaluation when two Inspectors from the Department spent three days with us. The Inspectors were very complimentary of our school and the excellent relationships that exist between our staff and our students.
"It is nice that we can begin this new term on a positive and hopeful note. This new building will be State of the Art and in fairness to the Department and the Design Team they have future proofed it. It will be able to accommodate 1300 pupils and in terms of the Green Agenda will be as Carbon Neutral as much as possible.
"The initial cost is €48 million but that was prior to the current increase in inflation.
"After a protracted process which began back in 2014 I think we can begin to hope now that we will get our new school. It is so well deserved by our students, staff and the local community. Exciting times ahead for our school,” Mr Brown said.
Delivery of the major project has been handed over to the Major Devolved Section of the Department of Education and Youth.
The proposed development will be procured through the Department of Education and Youth’s Contractor and Reserved Specialist Frameworks.
Contractors and Reserved Specialists are to be invited to tender to three lots, aimed at streamlining the procurement process. The main contract is valued at greater than €30m + VAT; Mechanical Reserved Specialists at >€10 million + VAT; and Electrical Reserved Specialists at >€10 million + VAT.
Sean Fleming TD welcomed the progress.
"Portarlington is an expanding town and badly needs this new this brand-new secondary school building which will also include facilities for special education.
“I look forward to the tender process being completed as soon as possible so that the contractor can be appointed to build this new school,” Deputy Fleming said.