Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the discussions that have taken place between her and the Sisters of Mercy regarding the purchase of a site for a school (details supplied) in south Tipperary; the position regarding the terms of a contract for this site; the progress made in these contract discussions; the expected date for an agreed contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46940/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2004, agreement was reached to amalgamate the two primary schools referred to by the Deputy. The application for capital funding to facilitate this amalgamation was assessed and assigned a band rating of 1.4.

A technical inspection was carried out on the existing school buildings to determine which would be suitable to facilitate the amalgamated school. The report produced following this inspection concluded that the most suitable building to facilitate the amalgamation would be the girls' school. It also found that an additional portion of land would be required from the Sisters of Mercy to facilitate the development. The Department has received an offer of lands from the Sisters of Mercy under the Residential Institutions Redress compensation scheme. The Department is considering this offer in the context of the religious orders' response to the Government request for an increase in their contribution under the Redress scheme.

On conclusion of the acquisition of the site, the progression of the amalgamated school building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.