My Department has frequent engagement with all patron bodies, including Catholic patrons, in respect of requirements for schools.
The traditional practice in respect of a Trust/Patron owned school is to secure the Minister’s interest in respect of capital grant expenditure on the school by way of a Charging Lease. Where these are in place the property cannot be sold without the consent of the Minister. With reference to disposals, when a school closes a patron may apply to terminate the Charging Lease. In considering such an application my Department has regard to current and future education requirements in the area; the level of capital grant expenditure on the school and any information provided on planned future use of the building. While these are some of the factors which my Department may consider other factors may also be considered in specific circumstances. Where a future education requirement is identified my Department will enter discussions with the trust/patron as to how the building could be used to meet these. These are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
It is often the case that my Department is informed that it is proposed to make the building available for community use. My Department would be supportive of such proposed uses. In other cases my Department understand that as the owner of the building may be a registered charity the proceeds of any sale of the buildings would be dealt with in accordance with the rules which apply to that charity which may lead to their re-investment into other services within the community in which the building is located.
