The Department of Education and Science has no plans to acquire valuable sports fields next to the former Presentation College Glasthule school in south Dublin, which closed last month, The Irish Timeshas learned.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown county councillors are due to decide today on whether to initiate a variation of the council's county development plan to preserve the playing pitch and sports use of the site.
But the news that the department has no plans to acquire the site is likely to prompt renewed speculation as to what will happen to the 4.5 acres, which is potentially worth tens of millions of euros to a developer.
A spokesman for the Presentation Brothers, who own the land, said he was unaware of the department's position in relation to the site, but added that the brothers had yet to discuss what would happen to the sports fields. This was because its efforts until recently were focused on ensuring the smooth closure of the school.
"If the department had an interest in acquiring the field we would be very interested in discussing this with them," he said. "We would examine any initiative like that which the department may take up."
"We're prepared to examine the needs of the local area but people need to be aware that the brothers have needs too . . . I couldn't rule anything in or I couldn't rule anything out."
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin, who is a local TD, previously announced that the school buildings had been bought from the Presentation Brothers, and would be the new permanent location for Carmona Special School. In addition, it would also allow for an extension to the adjoining Harold National School. However, the sports fields were not included in this deal.
"The Department of Education and Science has no plans to acquire the playing fields next to Presentation Glasthule," a spokeswoman told The Irish Times.
Last month, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council manager Owen Keegan revealed that he intended to bring proposals for a variation of the county development plan before councillors. This would preserve the playing pitch and sports use of the site.