Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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958. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42211/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, the religious congregation that owns existing school properties in Ennistymon has offered to transfer the properties concerned to the State as part of its offer made in response to the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the Ryan Report). The land in question, which the Government has agreed to accept, together with the lands already in the ownership of the Department, will be sufficient to meet the overall site requirements of the new school, referred to by the Deputy.

My Department through the Chief State Solicitor's Office is currently working with the Solicitors acting on behalf of the Congregation concerned on the legal procedures and mechanisms required to facilitate the transfer of this additional land. The school authorities are aware of this position which was outlined to them during their meeting with the former Minister earlier this year.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department will continue to maintain its on-going contact with the school authorities in the matter.