I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has confirmed that it is not in a position to purchase the property in question. The Department explained to the correspondent that it is already heavily committed financially to delivering a significant number of school projects in the area in question in County Wicklow. This includes a new primary school due to open next September, which will meet the demographic need for primary school provision in the area.
Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise funding available for the provision of essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic requirements, my Department is, therefore, not in a position to provide the funding sought.
For the Deputy's information, since 2010, the Department has granted in excess of €989,000 to the school in question to provide improved accommodation.