New Kolbe Special School Portlaoise gone out to tender

The new Kolbe Special School has gone to tender as a contractor is sought for the long awaited project.  

Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sean Fleming confirmed that the closing date for the receipt of tenders to build the new Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise is  August 31.

“This is a major step in getting the new Kolbe Special School built,” he said. 

“As I announced in April, the project was approved to go to tender.  Since then the tender documents have been finalised by the school and sent to the Department of Education.  The Department then cleared these documents thereby allowing the project to go to tender a number of weeks ago,” Minster Fleming explained. 

“Previously, a shortlist of suitable contractors was approved for consideration for this building project and the tender documents were sent to these pre-cleared contractors,” he said. 

“Like everybody with an interest in Kolbe Special School I welcome this great news. We all share the same aim of getting the new school built as soon as possible,” he said. 

Kolbe Special School has operated in Portlaoise in unsuitable conditions for a number of years. The school has only one permanent building and little space for the specialist equipment needed for some of the most vulnerable children in Laois. 

“During the last General Election, I, as a candidate, stated that getting a new school for Kolbe was my number one priority.  Since then the plans for the school have been finalised, planning permission has been obtained, the project is now at final tender stage and enabling works have already commenced at the site to facilitate Irish Water pipelaying and site road boundary issues,” said Minsiter Fleming. 

“Please be assured that I will do everything possible so that a contractor will be appointed as soon as possible,” he said.  

“I want to acknowledge and thank the entire school community and the people of Laois for their support for Kolbe Special School,” continued Minister Fleming. 

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“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 and provide the facilities that these children are entitled to,” he said.