Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
298. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to a school (details supplied); when his Department will purchase this site; when the funds will be made available to enable the school building to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34307/17]
View answerA project to deliver permanent accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers was announced in November 2015 as part of my Department's Six Year Plan and was listed to proceed to construction in 2019-2021. In that context, officials from my Department have been working closely with officials from the relevant Local Authority to secure the acquisition of the site on which the school is currently located in temporary accommodation.
The disposal of the site to my Department has been approved by the Local Authority however title issues were identified with the property and, as the Deputy may be aware, a Compulsory Purchase Order was undertaken by the Local Authority with a view to regularising these. This process is now complete and my officials are liaising with Local Authority officials with a view to progressing the acquisition.
My Department will be in further contact with the school in due course in the context of initiating the architectural planning process for the new school building.
