Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has ever sought to acquire school sites either directly, through the local authority or through the Office of Public Works using compulsory acquisition powers or other statutory powers; if they have ever informed landowners or developers that if they were unwilling to sell necessary or reserved sites to his Department or its agents that such statutory powers would or could be utilised to acquire the land; the details of any instances where such communications have taken place over the past five years with respect to the acquisition of school sites in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22117/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In general, the Office of Public Works (OPW) procures sites on behalf of my Department. In certain circumstances my Department liaises directly with landowners on the acquisition of sites. More recently, my Department has begun interacting directly with several local authorities in relation to acquiring sites, particularly in rapidly developing areas.

My Department in communications, in April 2007 with Fingal County Council indicated that a reserved site at Annfield, Diswellstown, Dublin 15 should be acquired using their statutory powers if necessary. The question of the use of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is a matter for the relevant Local Authority in the first instance.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of sites for schools and the name and location of same in the Dublin 15 area where the initial development of the site was commenced by his Department by having a licensing agreement with the landowner or licence to build on the site in advance of the expected completion of purchase of the land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22118/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has sought, or is seeking to establish, any licensing agreement in respect of land to be acquired or used as a school site, whether by rent, lease, purchase or other means; the location of such sites; when such agreements were entered into or are expected to be entered into; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22120/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 347 together.

In certain circumstances, particularly in rapidly developing areas where the provision of additional school places are required urgently, my Department may request a landowner to enter into a Building Licence Agreement to allow for the construction of a school pending the finalisation of the conveyancing process.

To date, in respect of 2008, my Department has entered into one such arrangement for a school in the Dublin 15 region. Due however to the commercial sensitivities attached to site acquisitions it would not be appropriate for me to expand further on the specifics of the site location at the present time.