To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the legal issues delaying the disposal of (a) Causeway School in Bushmills; and (b) Portrush YC and adjacent Out Centre; and (ii) the expected time period these will take to resolve.

Causeway School in Bushmills

This property is held under the terms of a Lease dated 1st August 1928, the contractual term of this lease runs for a term of 99 years and is due to expire on 1st April 2026. The identity of the Landlord changed with the Landlord’s interest being taken over by the National Trust. The National Trust has submitted a significant dilapidations claim, which is currently under consideration by the EA Solicitors and EA Officers. A Quantity Surveyor has been assigned to assess this and discussions are ongoing with the National Trust in the hope that agreement can be reached between EA and the National Trust as to the terms under which the National Trust will accept an early surrender of the lease. It is hoped that agreement will be reached in the incoming financial year.

Portrush YC and adjacent Out Centre

The site was used as a Youth Centre and Technical College. There are title difficulties involved with the disposal of the property. The site is held under two separate plots, one by way of conveyance and the other by way of lease. The EA is preparing a Business Case for buying out of the restrictive covenants under the terms of the lease. Once completed it is anticipated that a joint disposal in conjunction with NRC will complete in 2022.