Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a former school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5192/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. However, in common with other buildings of its kind, where significant grant aid is provided by my Department for the development of school premises, investment is secured by way of a long-term legal agreement known as a Charging Lease. There is currently a Charging Lease in place on the property referred to by the Deputy.

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

In this particular case, I can confirm that my Department has not received a request from the property owners to release my interest in the property in question. Therefore the status of the subject property is still a matter for the property owners.