Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
493. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education if a rental arrangement has been entered into with a school in Nenagh, County Tipperary and the local Catholic diocese; the length of time this arrangement will be in place for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14221/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra494. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education if an arrangement has been put in place for schools that were reconfigured from Catholic patronage to Educational and Training Boards; if so, the breakdown by diocese of the amount that has been paid; and if this is the plan for future reconfigurations. [14222/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra495. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the rationale for renting buildings as well as providing funding for their upkeep given that the State already 100% funds the costs of the buildings owned by Catholic dioceses. [14223/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 493, 494 and 495 together.
Ownership and control of school property is a complex issue, both constitutionally and in terms of property law and rights. Typically, it can involve religious trusts, trustees, religious orders, the bishops both as landowners and school patrons and the State.
Where a school property is in the Minister’s ownership, a leasing arrangement will not arise.
However, for historical reasons, most primary school property is in private ownership (often the Diocesan trust), with the local Bishop as patron.
Where the property owner is not the Minister for Education, lease arrangements between the property owner and new patron will be required and this will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
It is envisaged that this will take into account factors such as that following a transfer of patronage the school premises will continue to be used as a school for the benefit of local children, the property will benefit from continued State investment in the upkeep, maintenance or improvement of the premises and that the property may have benefitted from State capital investment in the past.
The cost of maintaining buildings insurance on the property by the owner will also be factored in.
In relation to Nenagh, the leasing arrangement, including rent, is being worked through as part of the work on the practical arrangements to facilitate the transfer of patronage taking place in September 2022.
In respect of the transfers of patronage which have already taken place, the rental amounts would have been agreed as part of discussions on the leasing arrangements. This would have been agreed on an individual basis, prior to the arrangements in the pilot areas being put in place, and would have taken into account local circumstances.
