Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if it is correct that Fingal County Council is owed up to €40 million for school sites acquired by the council for his Department under the Fingal schools model; the position in respect of moneys owed; when he expects to pay all money due to the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22514/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 628: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the location and size of each site for schools secured by Fingal County Council for his Department; the cost, size and location of each site; the amount due and the amount paid by his Department; the total sum in respect of all such sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22515/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 629: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount his Department owes Fingal County Council for the purchase of school sites on behalf of his Department; when he will transfer the money to the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22517/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 627 to 629, inclusive, together.

The agreement reached with Fingal County Council is intended to fast-track the delivery of schools and community facilities throughout Fingal. Under the terms of the Agreement, Fingal County Council will identify and acquire suitable sites for the Department where schools will be built. In return, the design of the schools on these sites will be varied to meet community needs identified by the Council. The cost of these community facilities will be met through savings that arise from the difference between the value of the land and the price paid for it — 50% of any savings made in this way will go towards the community facilities and the other 50% will be a saving for the Department. The schools will benefit from the availability of enhanced facilities as will the community.

To date, my Department has, or is currently in the process of acquiring a total of 8 sites in the Fingal County Council administrative area. The sites in question range in size from c.4 acre sites for primary schools to c.10 acre campus sites for primary and post-primary schools. However, due to the commercial sensitivities attached to site acquisitions it would not be appropriate for me to provide information on the cost of these sites at the present time.

Officials from my Department met recently with Fingal County Council and have agreed a process for determining the valuations and precise amounts that will fall due in respect of each site. Payments to the Council in respect of these amounts are now being processed and will issue shortly.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 630: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will acquire ownership of land for primary schools in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15; if these will be leased from the current landowner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22518/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the recent Parliamentary Question No. 409 of 8 May 2008 in relation to the acquisition of the aforementioned site. I wish to advise the Deputy that the position remains unchanged since then.