Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an open and competitive tender process was conducted for any building works or any lease arrangements for the Donegal education centre, Donegal town; if so, to provide an overview of the steps taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4968/25]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used to select a contractor or builder for any proposed works in the relocation of the Donegal Education Centre to Letterkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4969/25]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an independent audit or review of the decision to relocate the Donegal Education Centre, Donegal town, was conducted to ensure that the procurement process complied with best practices and governance policies; if so, the date and outcome of this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4970/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 155 and 156 together.

Education Support Centres (ESC) are independent bodies recognised under Section 37 of the Education Act (1998). This legislation states that “An education support centre shall have a management committee, to manage the business and staff of that centre.”

Decisions about how to run the centre to achieve the best teacher professional learning (TPL) opportunities for all teachers in the ESC catchment area are a matter for the management committee in the first instance.

My department’s role in relation to ESCs is to resource and monitor to ensure effective operation and focus on TPL activities to bring about positive impact in the classroom in respect of teaching and learning.

The management committee of Donegal ESC (DESC) contacted my department to make it aware of the proposed relocation to Letterkenny last year. My department reviewed the detailed business case submitted. DESC confirmed that they engaged with a number of estate agents and landlords to identify a suitable location for relocating the ESC. Costings for proposed works on the alternative location, which are being undertaken by the new landlord, were also provided. My department reviewed the information provided. Following engagement, my department informed DESC in mid-December that it accepted the reasons underpinning the decision of the management committee to relocate to Letterkenny.

My department continues to monitor the situation from a governance perspective. DESC provide regular updates on the progress of the relocation.