Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in writing to Cork County Council in relation to a school (details supplied) to clarify that his Department will not be purchasing the site for the school from Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39040/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that a suitable site has been identified for the school referred to. It was originally intended that my Department would acquire the lands directly and negotiations were progressing on that basis. The school's Patron indicated that he was willing, in principle, to acquire the lands in order to advance the project subject to the Patron receiving a guarantee in relation to the timing of the building project.

For my part, I wrote to the Patron indicating that if the Patron was in a position to confirm that the lands would be acquired then my Department would commence the appointment of a Design Team.

My officials met with representatives of the school and the Patron earlier this week to discuss, inter alia, the site acquisition. The Patron's representative formally confirmed to my officials that the Patron would purchase the required lands for the new school. I am advised that in response my officials indicated that the Department will now formally write to the Local Authority to apprise same of the updated position.