Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a site is expected to be purchased to accommodate the three school campus in Buncrana, County Donegal; the timeframe of works to ensure that this school campus is completed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44819/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware the project in respect of the education campus in Buncrana is included on my Department's capital programme.

Officials in Donegal County Council have been assisting this Department under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in relation to the procurement of a suitable location for the campus. Despite the best efforts of all parties, the site acquisition process in respect of this project has been underway for a considerable length of time. Technical issues and a scarcity of willing vendors have, unfortunately, made the acquisition process extremely challenging.

I understand the frustrations of the schools' communities at the delays in progressing the site acquisition but I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to advance matters. My officials are currently liaising with officials in Donegal County Council with a view to determining the most appropriate next steps in order to bring about a satisfactory conclusion as expeditiously as possible.

Once the site acquisition is complete the project to deliver the schools will progress into architectural planning.