Laois TD admits vital Portlaoise school build is 'on hold' and contacts Minister

Minister of State Sean Fleming has contacted the Minister for Education Norma Foley over what he described as a “serious set-back” for a new Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise. 

He contacted the education Minister after the school was notified that the tender for the long-awaited new building had been put ‘on hold’ due to budgetary pressures.

Kolbe Special School operates out of primarily prefabricated buildings which are unsuitable for its 41 students who have complex needs. Planning permission was granted for a new €8.7 million school. Staff, parents and students had expected a new school to be delivered in the autumn of 2024. 

However, the Department of Education contacted the school this week and said the project was ‘on hold’ due to capital funding pressures. It was one of 58 schools nationwide to receive a similar email. 

Minister Fleming, who is Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, spoke with the Principal of Kolbe Special School and the Minister for Education, Norma Foley in relation to the project on Wednesday.

“The school received an e-mail on Monday, 6th March from the Planning and Building Unit in the Department of Education saying, “currently there are 58 school building projects, including the major project for Kolbe Special School, on hold for proceeding to tender due to capital funding pressures,” explained Minister Fleming. 

“This is a serious set-back and I am seeking clarity as to when this project which is now “on hold” can proceed to tender and construction stage,” he said. 

“This school is an absolute priority for me to ensure a new school gets built on the site adjacent to the existing school in Portlaoise. I am fully committed and adamant that this will happen. This new school project will proceed despite this delay,” he said. 

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

Minister Fleming said as recently as last month he had been pressing the Department of Education for information in relation to the progress of the Kolbe Special School building. 

“I received information from the Minister on 21st February 2023 regarding progress on Kolbe Special School as I have been in constant contact with the Department on this matter, Minister Fleming said.  

“I acknowledge that while the process for this project going to tender is ‘on hold’ there is significant good news in relation to works on this project progressing quickly.  The school was informed last Friday that enabling works to be carried out by the ESB to divert electricity cables at the site can proceed straight away. 

"I am in contact with the ESB for a timescale for them to complete their works.  It has always been the case that until the ESB divert the cables that no works could commence on the site until their work is completed. This is the next stage in this project, and this is cleared to go ahead,” Minister Fleming stated.  

“I fully understand that the pupils in Kolbe Special School are the most vulnerable in our society as they have severe and profound disabilities and special needs.  I believe we should do everything possible to provide the best facilities for the pupils to spend their childhood and adolescent years as urgently as possible,” he added. 

“A new Kolbe Special School is my top priority.  This will happen despite this delay,” said Minister Fleming.