Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
533. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the approximate length of time for the appraisal of possible school sites when there is active engagement with a local council; the length of time that negotiations for site acquisition usually take once a site has been identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10482/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the site acquisition process is very complex and subject to completion of successful negotiation and many conveyancing processes. Each acquisition is also very unique and dependant on multiple factors many which may be outside of the control of my Department.
As per my Department's published technical guidance documents, a criteria is used to identify and evaluate the suitability of potential sites including zoning, existing services, site orientation, topography, transport and access. In this regard, my Department makes use of its own in-house professional and technical staff in relation to the technical assessment of sites, to ensure the suitability of a given site for the development of a school building. Each potential site also requires the consideration of complex technical issues in conjunction with the local authority. The Deputy will appreciate the importance of conducting a thorough appraisal of site options before proceeding with an acquisition in order to obtain best value for the Exchequer.
Once a site has been evaluated and identified as suitable, negotiations can begin with the appropriate landowner. This stage can be equally challenging, and the conditions of each acquisition is very much dependent on the individual circumstances. Once negotiations are agreed in principle, it allows the conveyancing process to begin, where issue with property title may arise. Some acquisitions may, due to the planning risk attached to a particular site, be subject to a grant of planning permission which can further delay the acquisition of a site. In this regard, the Deputy will appreciate it is not possible to give a specific timeframe for the completion of site acquisitions.
