Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2015
511. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on a much needed new secondary school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2256/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the religious congregation that owns existing school properties in Ennistymon has offered to transfer the properties concerned 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 land in question, which the Government has agreed to accept, together with the lands already in the ownership of the Department, will be sufficient to meet the overall site requirements of the new school, referred to by the Deputy.
My Department, through the Chief State Solicitor's Office, is currently working with the Solicitors acting on behalf of the Congregation concerned on the legal procedures and mechanisms required to facilitate the transfer of this additional land.
Once the necessary legal conveyancing process to facilitate the site transfer has been completed, my Department can consider the progression of this project. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department will also continue to maintain its on-going contact with the school authorities in the matter.
