Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English.

Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I would like to read his reply before I start because for the past 15 years, I have been getting the same reply on this issue. The school has been in a prefab accommodation for 19 years and from the day that went on site, it was supposed to get a new school building. The prefab accommodation was supposed to be temporary building but it is still in use. It is a large school in Knocklyon and it is bursting at the seams. The prefab accommodation has been in use for 19 years and it is totally unsuitable.

There is a problem with the title deeds in regard to the site. It was a road reservation and South Dublin County Council purchased a bit of the land. This has been an issue since about five years after the school was established. I was told about ten years ago that South Dublin County Council had requested that the site be vested in the Department of Finance, as that would be the only way to sort this out, but after that, nothing was done. It has been going from Billy to Jack. Three years ago, I thought the Department of Education would do something but nothing happened.

I am blue in the face asking about this. I was told it was within the remit of the Property Registration Authority, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Education and Skills. Nobody wants the site; it is a road reservation. South Dublin County Council does not have title to it. Everybody is in agreement in the Department of Education and Skills that a new school is needed. Less than a year ago, I was informed by the Minister that other site options are being considered but no specific details were given in that reply.

Can the Minister of State comment on this? What is the actual position? After 20 years of waiting for a new school building, the teachers and pupils - some former pupils are now sending their children to the school - deserve to know what is happening. The issue has been going on much too long and I am dying to hear what the Minister of State has to say.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | 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.

Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State has tried his best to make it sound plausible. He said: "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." Over seven years ago, South Dublin County Council submitted a proposal to the Department of Education and Skills to have the land vested in the Department of Finance. Is that the same proposal that has now been resubmitted? Perhaps the Minister of State does not know as he is answering for the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. I would like to have the actual proposal "which might serve to provide a satisfactory resolution" in writing, including the timescale.

Land transfers happen every day of the week. Some builders no longer have the money to buy sites, but transfers of land are carried out every day. I am waiting 15 years for this land title transfer. The Minister said the land was in the ownership of South Dublin County Council. We know the road reservation was there, but the title deeds are the problem. The ownership is no good without the title deeds because the Department of Education and Skills will not put a school on the ground without having title to the site. We do not want a situation as in Merrion Park, where someone comes along later and claims the whole lot. It is important that it is sorted. I want a timescale. This is not worth the paper it is written on, because the same proposal came in years ago. Could the Minister of State respond to me in writing, stating what the proposal is, the timescale and giving more detail?

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I do not have a timeframe for the Senator, but at this stage everyone recognises that it is urgent. The Senator spoke of 15 years, but South Dublin County Council approved the disposal of the site in 2007, which is now seven or eight years ago. Subsequently, issues arose regarding the title and ownership. From the perspective of the Department of Education and Skills, it is not possible to commence a building project in advance of a formal transfer of land. The Department must ensure the Minister owns the land. It cannot build a school on someone else's land. That is the difficulty. I do not know why it has taken seven or eight years and I am not privy to details as to whether it is a new proposal. I understand it is acceptable to all involved, so it should progress. I will certainly provide the Senator with any details we are allowed to release. There is no problem with that. I understand from all involved that this solution should work. I hope it does and will pass on the sense of urgency expressed by the Senator.