Written Answers. - County Kildare Estate.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
20
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Education
if her attention has been drawn to the impending sale of a large portion of Lyons Estate, Celbridge, County Kildare; if she is concerned that the disposal of this property will detrimentally affect research and development in the agricultural industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Emmet Stagg
Question:
39
Mr. Stagg
asked the
Minister for Education
if her attention has been drawn to a proposal by University College Dublin to sell part of the Lyons Estate, County Kildare; the part of the estate which will be sold; the cost of replacing the facilities to be sold off; and if the State will recover from the sale the investment made by the State in that property.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
234
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Education
if any funds from the Exchequer were used to update, extend, improve or replace facilities at Lyons Estate, Celbridge, County Kildare; if any of these facilities are being sold off by University College Dublin; the cost of any buildings or improvements at the estate in the past ten years; when such improvements were carried out and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 39 and 234 together.
The question of the reorganisation of teaching and research in the faculty of general agriculture in UCD has been under consideration for some time by the college authorities. This consideration includes the necessity for and the extent to which Lyons Estate is required for teaching and research in the college.
The committee appointed by the governing body to consider this matter has completed its report and a decision has been taken by the college to sell approximately 680 acres of Lyons's Estate, including the house. This decision was taken after due consideration of the needs of the faculty of general agriculture for teaching and research. I have been advised that the college and the Higher Education Authority are satisfied that the sale will not affect the capacity of the college to undertake any required agricultural research and development.
With regard to the use of Exchequer funds for developments at the estate, a grant-in-aid is paid annually to the Higher Education Authority for the funding of institutions operating under its aegis. A proportion of that grant is allocated by the authority to University College, Dublin and the extent to which it is used to fund individual faculties, or particular aspects of them, including since 1987 the faculties of general agriculture and veterinary medicine, is a matter for the authorities of the college.
Prior to 1987, I understand that the Minister for Agriculture and Food allocated block grants to each of these two faculties and again the extent to which this was allocated to the various activities within these faculties, would have been a matter for the UCD authorities.
The college authorities have indicated, however, that Exchequer funding would have been used to carry out adaptions and necessary maintenance work to the house, which is now to be sold. Additionally, over the past ten years, sums totalling £495,000 were expended on the provision and improvement of facilities at the estate. These works were carried out between 1982 and 1987 and the facilities in question are to be retained by the college.
The proceeds of the proposed sale of part of the Lyons Estate will be applied to improve and develop facilities for teaching and research in a number of areas. Details of the improvements to be carried out will be the subject of further discussions in the college and consultation with the Higher Education Authority and my Department.
