Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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189. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will secure a site for a school (details supplied); the expected timeline for completing the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19380/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department have been working closely with officials from Donegal County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the schools to which he refers.

A comprehensive technical assessment of a significant number of identified site options has been undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the Local Authority. A preferred site option has now been identified and officials from the Local Authority have been requested to open negotiations with the relevant landowner.

An official from my Department recently met with representatives of the relevant school authorities in order to appraise them of the current position.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to indicate a timeline for the completion of the acquisition of a site for the school in question as it is dependent on engagement from the relevant landowner with respect to negotiations and also on the complexity of the conveyancing process. I would, however, like to assure the Deputy that the acquisition of a site for this school is a priority for my Department and officials are working to conclude the process as expeditiously as possible.