Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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8. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on the provision of funds for the purchase of a site by her Department in Buncrana, County Donegal, for the new three school Crana College campus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37961/14]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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This seeks an update on the progress on the provision of funds by the Department for the purchase of a site in Buncrana, County Donegal, for a new three school Crana College campus. This involved the purchase of the site for the development of the site for the Crana College campus, a secondary school, the Irish secondary school Coláiste Chineál Eoghain, and Buncrana Gaelscoil.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Officials in my Department have been in contact with officials from Donegal education and training board, ETB, about identifying and securing a suitable site in the Buncrana area for a campus development. A number of potential sites were previously considered over the past number of years but were deemed unsuitable for various reasons. The Deputy is more aware of the reasons than I.

A potential site has been identified by the ETB. A technical assessment of the site has been carried out and this is currently under consideration. The Department is liaising with the local authority and the ETB with a view to securing a site as soon as possible to facilitate the progression of the project. Once a suitable site has been acquired, the Department will be in a position to progress the project concerned into the architectural planning process.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for the update. I emphasise the importance of ensuring the purchase of the site moves along. In order to develop the campus and ensure progress, the first step is to secure the site.

Three schools will be housed in the new site when it is completed. Buncrana Gaelscoil was established in 1999 and now houses 183 students, with the kind co-operation of Buncrana Youth Club, in the youth club. This is not an ideal premises but great work is done under the circumstances. The Gaelscoil, Chineál Eoghain, is housed in a renovated mill. Crana College is in a tight site with 11 prefabs that cannot be transferred into permanent accommodation because of a lack of room.

It has over 500 students. It is crucial that we see progress in regard to the purchase of the site. Perhaps when the Minister reverts to me in a further response she might indicate within what sort of timeline she hopes her Department may be able to make a decision on the proposed site and, it is to be hoped, see the project move on.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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As I said to Deputy O'Brien, engagement with the local authority usually takes place in terms of identifying sites and local knowledge can often be helpful in that regard. The ETB would also have local knowledge. According to my note, given the complexities involved it is not possible to provide a definite timeframe for the completion of the acquisition. My officials will endeavour to bring the process to a conclusion as soon as possible. I appreciate a number of schools are to be accommodated on the site and people living locally are anxious to see the project progress.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Minister that the ETB and the schools involved have worked very closely with the local authority to assess previous sites and this site. I am hopeful there would be no delay in the Department's engagement with the local authority because of the amount of joined-up work which has already taken place in Buncrana between the schools, the ETB and the relevant authorities. I thank the Minister for the update. An architect from the Department visited the three schools and the proposed site last May. I ask the Minister for an update on whether the architect's report following that visit has now been completed and provided to the property management section. I thank the Minister for agreeing to keep a close eye on this project and ensure it is progressed as quickly as possible. It is crucial for the educational needs of Buncrana and will provide proper facilities for the three schools concerned.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I will inquire about the architect's report from the visit in May. I am not aware of what has happened with the report, but I will revert to the Deputy.