Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2019
200. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedures in place to allow for an existing lease held by his Department to be changed on a vacant school building to facilitate the provision of suitable space to provide after-school childcare service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7697/19]
View answerThe 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 1947 for 99 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.
My Department has considered a request from the property owner. The Chief State Solicitor's Office has been instructed in the matter and is in ongoing contact with the property owner's legal representatives.
