Laois special school disappointed as 'paperwork' delays new building

A Laois special needs school for children with severe to profound disabilities has been hit by yet another delay on an urgently needed new building.

Construction was due to start last year after overhead ESB Networks powerlines were moved underground. One line has been moved, but the other remains too be done.

The ESB say they still have not received the necessary paperwork from the HSE allowing them to go ahead.

Meanwhile over 40 of the county's most vulnerable children remain in cramped, damp, poorly insulated prefabs, where pipes freeze in weather such as the current icy conditions. The school was first earmarked for a new building 23 years ago.

Laois TD Charlie Flanagan obtained the following update from the ESB Networks on January 9.

“ESB Networks is very mindful of imperative for the Kolbe Special School project. Given that we have two overhead lines going through the lands, we have been fully engaged on expediting the necessary works on the local electricity network required to facilitate the project.

“We can confirm that the diversion works for one of the lines is now complete.

“As the other line runs through HSE land, ESB Networks has been awaiting necessary paperwork from the HSE to allow it to complete enabling works. These applications are due imminently but have not yet arrived at time of writing.

“We will continue to liaise closely with the relevant HSE stakeholders on the matter. ESB Networks is committed to prioritising these works once the required documentation has been received,” the provider said.

It is nearly a year since Minister of State Sean Fleming said the Department announced that "enabling works to be carried out by the ESB to divert electricity cables at the site can proceed straight away," in March 2023. 

That month, the new school was put on hold due to capital funding pressures, a Department of Education decision that was later reversed after parents and staff held a public meeting and threatened to march in the streets. 

Last December Minister Fleming said that "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."

Kolbe Special School have revealed their disappointment at the latest delay.

The principal is Orlagh Mahon.

"We are disappointed. We thought that they were nearly ready to start, that this was all sorted. We didn't realise until we came back from Christmas holidays this week.

"What we really want is for the HSE, the ESB and the Department to ensure our school is built this calendar year. We are still hopeful they will be on site as planned in March or April. That is what we want to see happen. We are told it is an 18 month build so we hope to be in by September 2025," Ms Mahon said.

The parents of the children at the school have also shared their frustration in a post on X with the above photo of a digger sitting unused on site.

"The stalled digger says it all. DECADES OF DELAY and now enabling works by @ESBNetworks are dragging on because of a wait for @HSELive paperwork @CharlieFlanagan @SeanFlemingTD @BrianStanleySF Can one or all of you #prioritisekolbe and resolve this?," they asked.

In the meantime the school is being given two more prefabs, for a classroom and a sensory room. The new school next to their existing building on the Block Road, is expected to cost €8.7 million.