Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. A new school building for Gaelscoil Chionn tSáile is included on the Department's six year capital programme. The project is to provide is a permanent school building for the Gaelscoil which is currently in temporary accommodation. In that context, the Department of Education and Skills has been working closely with Cork County Council under the memorandum of understanding for the acquisition of school sites with a view to securing a suitable site for this school. Under the memorandum of understanding for the acquisition of school sites, local authorities assist the Department with the process of identifying and acquiring sites for the development of school accommodation. The first step in this process is the identification of suitable sites by the local authority. The identified sites are then technically assessed on a joint basis by officials from the local authority and the Department’s professional and technical staff.

The Senator will appreciate the importance of a thorough appraisal of site options at this point in order to ensure the achievement of value for money and to minimise the potential of any issues arising during the planning and development stages. A number of site options for Gaelscoil Chionn tSáile were identified and thoroughly technically appraised for suitability by personnel from the Department of Education and Skills and Cork County Council. Arising from this exercise, the Department has been engaged in negotiations with the owners of one of the suitable sites identified at technical appraisal stage. The site in question is that on which the Gaelscoil is currently located in temporary accommodation. Negotiations have concluded and agreement in principle has been reached with the landowners in respect of the proposed acquisition of this site by the Department. Therefore, the site acquisition process has advanced to the conveyancing stage as draft contracts are being prepared and legal due diligence is being undertaken in respect of the proposed transaction. The acquisition of the site will enable the Department to progress the architectural planning process for the project. I assure the Senator that the school authorities are being kept apprised of progress with respect to the advancement of the site acquisition and building project for the school.