Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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564. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of rent that has been agreed to be paid to the Catholic church for the use of a school (details supplied) in Nenagh, County Tipperary; and the length of time that this arrangement in place. [15092/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Ownership and control of school property is a complex issue, both constitutionally and in terms of property law and rights.  Typically, it can involve religious trusts, trustees, religious orders, the bishops both as landowners and school patrons and the State.

Where a school property is in the Minister’s ownership, a leasing arrangement will not arise.  

However, for historical reasons, most primary school property is in private ownership (often the Diocesan trust), with the local Bishop as patron.

Where the property owner is not the Minister for Education,  lease arrangements between the property owner and new patron will be required and this will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

It is envisaged that this will take into account factors such as that following a transfer of patronage the school premises will continue to be used as a school for the benefit of local children, the property will benefit from continued State investment in the upkeep, maintenance or improvement of the premises and that the property may have benefitted from State capital investment in the past.

The cost of maintaining buildings insurance on the property by the owner will also be factored in.

In relation to Nenagh, the leasing arrangement, including rent, is being worked through as part of the work on the practical arrangements to facilitate the transfer of patronage taking place in September 2022.