The project to bring a new school building for Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise is back on track.
So says Laois TDs Sean Fleming and Charlie Flanagan in statements released this afternoon.
Fianna Fail’s Fleming says that Minister for Education Norma Foley has removed the ‘on hold’ status.
Deputy Fleming said: “The Minister has removed the earlier decision to put this project on hold. This “on hold” is now removed.
“The school can now work with the Department to finalise the tender documents which will lead to this project going to tender.
“The Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities on this matter.
“Since the public meeting in Portlaoise, I have had a number of discussions with Minister Norma Foley T.D. and the School Authorities and parents in Kolbe Special School.
“Like everybody with an interest in Kolbe Special School I welcome this good news. We all share the same aim of getting the new school built as soon as possible.
“The message from the entire school community and the people of Laois was to get the Kolbe Special School approved to progress to the tender stage.
“I gave a commitment at the public meeting that I would work to do so in the immediate future.
“I want to especially thank everybody involved in the school community and the people of Laois and even the people outside Laois who showed their support for Kolbe Special School.
“During the last General Election I, as a candidate, stated that getting a new school for Kolbe was my number one priority.
“This is still my commitment and I will continue to work with everybody involved to ensure this becomes a reality.
“Finally, the students, staff, parents and families of those who attend Kolbe Special School must be fully supported.
“I look forward to us all working together between now and when the new school is ultimately built and opened to replace the existing school building.”
Deputy Flanagan said: “Following consultations today between myself, Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe and the office of the Minister of State Josepha Madigan, confirmation has been received that the issue is now resolved, and the 58 schools have now received clearance to proceed to the next stage.
“The formal letter of notification will issue to the 58 schools from the Department of Education today Wednesday.”
In announcing the resolution Deputy Flanagan stated that he has informed the principal of Kolbe School, Orlagh Mahon that he was he was very keen that outstanding issues were resolved before Easter.
This timeframe was further referred to by Deputy Flanagan at a public meeting in Portlaoise two weeks ago.
Stating that he was very upset that the Kolbe School project was delayed at all, Deputy Flanagan is now pleased that matters are proceeding.
He said: “Kolbe School has been one of my priorities in this Dail and I look forward to it’s construction at the earliest opportunity.”
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