Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Sale of School.

Pat Carey

Question:

352 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will forego the recoupment of part of the proceeds of the sale of the national school in Grantham Street, Dublin, which is being purchased by Scouting Ireland CSI, to be used as its national headquarters and training centre in view of the fact that this is the largest youth organisation in Ireland with 32,000 members spread throughout the 32 counties of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17910/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

It is not open to me to forgo money due to the Exchequer from the sale of the former national school in Grantham Street.

The school is owned by the Archdiocese of Dublin. My Department has an agreement with the Archdiocese on the recovery of State investment in the school building and will be honouring the terms of that agreement. I am aware of the exceptional work done by Scouting Ireland CSI and the organisation receives substantial annual funding from my Department.