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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Synge Street monastery sale

Summary

Deputy Bacik seeks intervention to keep the Christian Brothers monastery on Synge Street in educational use, or at least ensure sale proceeds support abuse victims. The Taoiseach says the education authorities must assess local needs but agrees any proceeds should be ring-fenced for redress.

A “For Sale” sign has gone up this week on the Christian Brothers monastery building on Synge Street in Portabello in my constituency. The property has a guide price of €3.75 million. For some time, I have been calling on the Minister for education to ensure that this building will be retained for educational use by the existing four schools on the street. Indeed, I have also called on the Christian Brothers in this regard. The area suffers from an acute shortage of local school places, particularly places where students can receive education trí Gaeilge. The Minister, Deputy Naughton, has said in response that her Department has no intention of acquiring the site. which is regrettable. Earlier this week, adults who were the victims of child sex abuse had to get an order from the High Court to compel the Christian Brothers to disclose the names of alleged abusers and members of the order in order that they could be sued. The Christian Brothers are still using controversial legal strategies to keep redress beyond the reach of those to whom it is owed. Now we are seeing the Christian Brothers selling what could create a world-class public educational campus to the highest bidder. This will be a commercial sale, with no conditions attached.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

The Taoiseach to respond.

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Whether they will use the proceeds to compensate victims of abuse, we do not know.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Time is up, Deputy Bacik. Prepare in time. The Taoiseach to respond.

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I am asking the Taoiseach to intervene with the Minister for education in order to ensure this building remains in public usage as an educational campus-----

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Deputy, your time is up. You need to prepare in time.

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-----or at the very least that the money to the Christian Brothers is used to pay victims.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

The Deputy is taking absolute advantage and is using her colleagues' time.

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I do not run the Department of education. The Minister and the Department have to make assessments as to what is needed in any given locality, and they have clearly made an assessment in this case. That said, the money realised from the sale of this property should be ring-fenced and put into a fund for redress.

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Hear, hear. Exactly.

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That is what should happen here. The Department, as the Deputy knows, is examining all of that in great detail.

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