Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his good wishes. We have worked closely together on this issue for too long. We are on the same hymn sheet in terms of trying to get the issue resolved as a matter of priority. I look forward to continued engagement on the issue. As the Deputy is aware, the education campus project to which he refers is included in my Department's capital programme 2016 to 2021 and the money required will be ring-fenced.

Negotiations with the landowner in respect of the preferred site option to accommodate the campus are under way. The Deputy will appreciate that negotiations in respect of site acquisitions are, by their nature, sensitive and for that reason I am not in a position to provide further information at this time. However, I assure him that all parties are working to bring matters to a conclusion at the earliest possible date and Department officials will continue to keep the relevant school authorities appraised of progress. In that regard, a meeting between school authorities and Department officials has been arranged for later this week.

When the site acquisition is complete, the next stage of the process involves the project for the campus progressing to architectural planning. At this stage it is premature to give a timeframe for completion of the building project. I acknowledge that the local community, including the parents who have sons or daughters in the three schools, have been waiting patiently for the campus. The issue must be taken very seriously as they have been waiting almost two decades for it to be resolved. I look forward to continued engagement with the Deputy on the issue.

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