Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Nov 1991

Vol. 413 No. 6

Written Answers. - Disposal of Carysfort College.

Jim Higgins

Question:

135 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education whether any letter of complaint was received from the Higher Education Authority about the lack of consultation or involvement in the purchase of Carysfort College by University College Dublin.

Minister for the Education (Mr. Davern)

Consultation with the Higher Education Authority did not arise, as the original recommendation concerning the use of Carysfort for educational purposes by UCD had resulted from the report of a working party chaired by the Chairman of the Higher Education Authority.

A letter was received from the Authority in February 1991 which indicated that while appreciating the sensitivity and necessity for confidentiality, and the time scale involved in the matter members felt they should have been consulted at the time.

The letter went on to indicate that the Authority was co-operating with UCD and with officers of the Department of Education in ensuring maximum use of the significant additional accommodation made available to the higher education sector for the benefit of students.

While noting the comments of the Authority, my Department indicated to officers of the Authority that the particular funds made available for the purchase of Carysfort were earmarked for that purpose and were additional to the 1991 capital allocation made available to the Higher Education Authority for distribution.