Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the procedures in place to allow for an existing lease held by his Department to be changed on a vacant school building to facilitate the provision of suitable space to provide after-school childcare service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7697/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. In common with other buildings of its kind, there is a charging lease in place on the property, in this case dated 1947 for 99 years to protect the state's investment in the property.

In circumstances where a property has ceased to be used as a school, and a request is received from the property owner to release the State's interest secured under a charging lease, such requests are considered in the context of the specific circumstances which pertain to the individual property.

My Department has considered a request from the property owner. The Chief State Solicitor's Office has been instructed in the matter and is in ongoing contact with the property owner's legal representatives.