State will only buy €23m former greyhound stadium site for schools if rezoned

The Department of Education’s €23m purchase of a former greyhound track depends on the site’s planning status being changed by the local council to allow the construction of schools.

The sale of the six-acre Harold’s Cross stadium in Dublin 6, under an agreement announced by Education Minsiter Richard Bruton a fortnight ago, is key to helping the greyhound board Bord na gCon clear its €20m debts.

But ahead of the board returning to give evidence to the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) about its finances this morning, the Irish Examiner has learned that the sale might not go ahead if the appropriate zoning is not secured first, for schools to be built on the site.