Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has any plans to dispose of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4975/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the school in question, with Roll Number 16816N, closed in August 2019.

When a school building becomes vacant as a result of closure/amalgamation/replacement, the future use of the old building is in the first instance a matter for the property owner. When the property owner applies to the Minister for permission to either use the property for community purposes or to sell it, my Department makes an assessment as to whether the property is required for future educational use. If it is concluded that the property has no viable future educational use, my

Department permits that it may be used for community or other purposes or may be sold.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the former school that he refers to is in the ownership of Diocese of Clonfert.  Any proposal for the disposal of the school is a matter for the patron and owner of the property to consider.