I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 41, 60, 117 and 118 together.
The amount of capital grants paid in respect of buildings, furniture and equipment at Carysfort College was £2.428 million. The Sisters of Mercy have agreed to pay to the State £1.75 million from the proceeds of the sale and have further agreed to return to the State all educational equipment and Library stock purchased with State funds. This settlement was agreed with the Sisters of Mercy and, therefore, the new owners were not involved.
I am not aware of any statement made by the Sisters of Mercy in early 1986 in relation to the sale of the college. I only became aware that the lands and premises at Carysfort were for sale when an advertisement to this effect appeared in the public press on 21 June. Discussions were ongoing right up to that time about the possibility of securing the continued use of the college, within the third level educational sector.
It is evident that the investment made by the State in the premises was recognised by the Sisters of Mercy and that it was adequately compensated for in the arrangement set out above.
Neither I nor my Department had discussions with potential purchasers of Carysfort. I am not aware of the names of the purchasers of the property nor am I appraised of the plans they may have for its development. However, a representative of the purchasers approached my Department recently and indicated that the purchasers, who were not named, would be interested in a sale or lease arrangement with educational interests for the buildings and any required land area. Any proposals made to my Department in this regard will be carefully considered.
No commitment has been given for any further expenditure either capital or current by the State or any of its agencies in respect of any activities to be carried out in the college. I could only envisage any such expenditure in circumstances where the State, one of its agencies, or an educational institution with the approval of my Department leased or purchased the premises at some future time.
If a purely private educational institution was to be established in the college at some future date the conditions of access by students whether Irish or not would be a matter over which I would have no control.
