Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 2001

Vol. 537 No. 5

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

75 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason land at Kilotteran, Butlerstown, County Waterford, which was purchased for the building of a university, has not been developed; the cost of the land in question; and when he expects work to commence in this regard. [17079/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Waterford Institute of Technology made a proposal to my Department in May 1998 indicating that the existing campus lands were inadequate for future developments and particularly for outdoor student recreational facilities.

In response, the then Minister for Education and Science sanctioned the purchase of an additional 50 acres of land by Waterford Institute of Technology. As the vendor was prepared to sell 170 acres of the property as a single lot, the institute was allowed, as an exceptional matter, to acquire the entire lot at a price of £2.45 million subject to: a feasibility study being undertaken of the 170-acre site to identify lands surplus to the needs of the institute and amounting tocirca 100 acres for disposal as directed by the Minister for Education and Science; moneys received from the disposal of any lands being refunded to the Department of Education and Science; freehold title to the lands being confirmed; and full vacant possession being achieved.

Subsequent to the purchase of the land, a portion of the site – 24.4 acres – has been subject to a compulsory purchase order from the National Roads Authority, leaving 145 acres for consideration.

Waterford Institute of Technology submitted a feasibility study for the lands very recently and officials of my Department are now considering that study.

The development of any facilities at the site in question will be subject to the usual project appraisal and will have regard to such factors as projected student enrolments and the skill needs of the economy.