Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Oct 1997

Vol. 480 No. 7

Written Answers. - VEC Properties.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

123 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Westmeath vocational education committee has purchased a property at Montbard, France; the expenditure by Westmeath vocational education committee, to date, on this project; if he will give a breakdown of this expenditure under the headings of lease or purchase costs, travel, VTOS expenditure, materials purchases, and supervisory costs; if he approves of the completion of this lease or purchase agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15109/97]

Minister for Education (Mr. Martin)

I am aware that in 1994 the County Westmeath vocational education committee entered into a lease/purchase arrangement for a property at Montbard, France. The committee has expended a total of £79,382 to date on the project. The breakdown of the moneys is as follows:

	£
Leave/Purchase Costs	40,000.00
Travel and Maintenance Costs	4,272.87
Materials Purchases	22,317.01
Supervisory Costs	270.49
Ancillary Costs	12,521.63
Total	79,382.00

The legal advice available indicates that it was not within the power of the vocational education committee under the 1930 vocational education committee Act to acquire the property in question. My Department is currently examining what options are now open to itself and the vocational education committee with regard to the building.