Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan and I thank the Senator for raising it. As she is aware, officials from my Department have been working closely with South Dublin County Council officials in relation to securing a suitable site to facilitate the delivery of permanent school accommodation for Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna. The site on which the school's temporary accommodation is currently located is in the ownership of South Dublin County Council. This site was assessed by members of the Department's technical and professional staff and deemed suitable for development of permanent accommodation for the school, as the Senator rightly said. Subsequently, agreement in principle was reached between the Department and South Dublin County Council in relation to the acquisition of the site. However, in the course of the conveyancing process, title issues relating to a portion of the site were identified. As the Senator will appreciate, due diligence must be applied with respect to all land transfers.Resolution of the title issues is not straightforward and South Dublin County Council has been working with the Department and the Property Registration Authority to obtain a satisfactory outcome for some time. Despite the best efforts of all involved, this issue has significantly delayed the site acquisition.

Subsequent to the most recent discussions between officials from my Department and from South Dublin County Council, the matter has been reappraised. The council has now submitted to my Department a proposal which might serve to provide a satisfactory resolution to the title issues and thereby facilitate the land transfer. This proposal is under review by officials in my Department. A response will issue to the council shortly in relation to this proposal and it is envisaged that this will enable the conveyancing process to progress. Officials in my Department will keep the school authorities informed of any developments. Once the acquisition of the site is finalised, it is my Department's intention to initiate the architectural planning process for the provision of a new school building.

I assure the Senator that officials from my Department are aware of the situation with regard to the school's current accommodation and the pressing need to acquire the site. In that regard, every effort is being made to advance the process to facilitate progression of the project. I thank the Senator again for giving me the opportunity to clarify the situation in this regard. I hope it has been of some use.