Vol. 529 No. 1
1286 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department or any agency under the aegis of his Department have any property leased or rented in Castlebar, County Mayo; if so, if he will indicate the contracting parties involved; the purpose for which the property or properties are leased or rented; the annual cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2299/01]
I understand that the Deputy's particular interest in this matter refers to Castlebar Education Centre. A lease agreement has been agreed in principle between Galway Mayo Institute of Technology and my Department in respect of 1.04 acres in order to facilitate the construction of Castlebar Education Centre.
I understand that GMIT has leased property comprising circa 15.75 acres and containing 6,325 sq. metres of building from the Estern Health Board with effect from 1 September 1994. The period of this lease was 50 years with a rent of £10,000 per annum payable in advance by half yearly installments of £20,000 for a period of five years only.
In December 2000 GMIT signed a contract with the Western Health Board for the purchase of the freehold of the property comprising of circa 15.75 acres and buildings circa 9,356 sq. metres for the sum of £1,150,000. The funds for this purchase were provided by my Department.
