School Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2018

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Questions (191)

Gino Kenny

Question:

191. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details regarding the lease of a school (details supplied) by his Department from a trust; the reason for the decision not to renew the current lease held by a scout group; his plans to rent the building out at market rent in 2019; if there are stipulations in the lease that the building should only be used for community purposes; the way in which the lease has been terminated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51768/18]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. In common with other buildings of its kind, there is a charging lease in place on the property, in this case dated 1928 for 900 years to protect the state's investment in the property.

In circumstances where a property has ceased to be used as a school, and a request is received from the property owner to release the State's interest secured under a charging lease, such requests are considered in the context of the specific circumstances which pertain to the individual property. 

I can confirm that my Department has not received a request from the property owners to release my interest in this property. 

Any queries in relation to the property should be directed to the property owner in the first instance.