Patrick O'Donovan
Question:193. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the amalgamation of schools (details supplied). [41796/13]
View answerTuesday, 8 October 2013
Questions (193)
Written answers
The two schools referred to by the Deputy have agreed to amalgamate and submitted an application for a major capital project. As the Deputy is aware, this school project is scheduled on the Five Year Plan to proceed to construction in 2015/2016.Further to a technical site visit by Department officials, the girls school was deemed to be the most suitable location, subject to additional land being acquired to facilitate the development of a building for the new amalgamated school. The Congregation of The Sisters of Mercy offered to transfer additional land to the State as part of its offer made in response to the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the Ryan Report). The Government has agreed to accept this land offered by the Congregation.
My Department through the Chief State Solicitor's Office is currently working with the Solicitors acting on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy on the legal procedures and mechanisms required to facilitate the transfer of this additional land.