Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the sale of a stadium (details supplied) to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44337/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Department acquired the Harold’s Cross Greyhound Stadium site from the Irish Greyhound Board in line with the DPER Circular 11/15: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets.  This circular requires the Valuation Office to provide a determination of market value of the property to be disposed which is binding on both the disposing and acquiring Government Department or State body. 

In line with my undertaking to the Deputy last week, I published the Valuation Office Report in respect of this site on my Department's website on 19 October 2018 - link as follows: 

www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/valuation-report-of-harold%E2%80%99s-cross-greyhound-stadium-site-by-valuation-office-update-note-.pdf. 

In addition, the Valuation Office provided a recent update to my Department on matters related to the valuation. This update, which was requested by Department and received on the week beginning 15 October 2018 was also published on my Department's website on 19 October 2018 - link as follows:

www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/valuation-report-of-harold%E2%80%99s-cross-greyhound-stadium-site-by-valuation-office-update-note-.pdf.

I trust both these documents outline the considerations the Valuation Office applied to the market valuation of the site.  I have also asked my officials to directly contact the Deputy regarding this process.