asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement regarding a national school building at Avonmore Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 which was previously occupied by Scoil Colmcille and was reallocated for the use of Scoil Santain; whether public funds were paid to the parish authorities or to the Catholic diocesan trustees for the acquisition of the building prior to its being given for the use of Scoil Santain; the owners of the building and of the site on which it is built; and the steps, if any, she has taken to ascertain local, public and parental opinion prior to the removal of the Scoil Colmcille to another building.
Written Answers. - Tallaght (Dublin) School.
265.
My Department have agreed a proposal received from the authorities of three national schools in Tallaght, Dublin 24, whereby the building which accommodated the pupils of one of the schools, namely, Scoil Colmcille, Bolbrook, should be vacated and the pupils transferred to the remaining buildings. The vacated building was then to be acquired by my Department for the accommodation of the all-Irish national school, Scoil Santain, which, in accordance with my Department's policy, is entitled to apply for the provision of suitable permanent accommodation at State expense. Scoil Santain has already been occupying part of the Bolbrook school under a temporary convenience arrangement with the school authorities. My Department have entered into negotiations with the Catholic diocesan trustees for the purchase of their interest in the Bolbrook school premises, which interest comprises the ownership of the site in fee simple and the present value of the original local contribution towards the cost of the building.
It was regarded as a matter for the patron and the trustees to establish local opinion in relation to the re-arrangement of the accommodation of the three schools mentioned at the outset. My Department are, however, satisfied that all necessary consultations took place and agreements secured. I understand that the staff and pupils of Scoil Colmcille in fact transferred from the Bolbrook premises as from 1 September 1987.