Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a cost analysis was conducted for the selected relocation of the Donegal Education Support Centre; if these findings were shared with the management committee, staff and stakeholders; if their views were taken on board in the making of the decision to relocate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5800/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The management committee of Donegal ESC (DESC) contacted my department to make us aware of a proposed relocation to Letterkenny. In July 2024 they submitted a business plan supporting the decision to relocate. My department reviewed the detailed business case submitted and over a number of months engaged in consultation with the director and chairperson of the management committee, meeting with them to discuss the proposed relocation, requesting additional information and raising a number of queries. This engagement between the management committee and my department included consideration of the financial impact of the move.

The new premises is approximately 3,000 square feet and is open plan which will allow for a layout to suit the needs of DESC.

The annual rent for both the current and new premises are similar.

The proposed new location will require a fitting-out to suit the centre’s needs and this is being arranged by the landlord in preparation for DESC taking occupancy. DESC explored other quotes for the fit-out of the building to provide assurance that that the costs presented for the fit-out are in order.

The new lease will have a lower annual service charge which will result in an annual savings.

DESC also currently has cause to rent out rooms for in-person courses in Letterkenny. This cost should reduce when the centre is able to provide more in-person services in its own premises in Letterkenny.

Therefore, while there is an initial additional outlay for the fitting out of the new premises, the move is expected to be cost neutral over a period of time.

A further cost-benefit of the move arises in relation to Oide, the Department’s main teacher professional development service. Oide has indicated that in respect of Donegal, it utilises hotels for professional learning events to a greater extent than in some other counties. When scheduling events, several criteria are used to choose venues. One criterion is that if a school is over an hour from the ESC, then external venues are used. For Term 1 of 2024/5, of 37 Oide events in Donegal, 19 took place in hotels (in Letterkenny, Inishowen and Gweedore). The more central location of Letterkenny is expected to reduce costs arising from the reliance on the use of hotels by Oide in Donegal.