Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 July 2018
120. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the progress with securing a site for the three school campus in Buncrana, County Donegal; if a site has been purchased; the timeline for works to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28852/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the project in respect of the education campus in Buncrana is included on my Department's capital programme.
My Department is working closely with Donegal County Council in relation to the proposed site acquisition. Unfortunately, the site acquisition process to date has been protracted due to technical challenges with identified site options and difficulties in reaching agreement with landowners.
A number of options are available to progress the site acquisition process, and a significant amount of work has been undertaken by both Council and Department officials in order to thoroughly appraise these in order to ensure Value for Money for the State. In the context of the identified options for progression, negotiations commenced with a landowner in respect of the preferred site option with a view to reaching agreement on mutually acceptable terms. These negotiations are currently underway and appear to be making progress.
Once the site acquisition is complete the project can progress to architectural planning stage.
