asked the Minister for Education the number of prefabricated units in use as classrooms in national schools in Dublin city and county; the number of children accommodated in them; and the number of such units for which there are applicasions current.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Prefabricated Classrooms.
15.
There are 282 prefabricated classrooms in use at national schools in Dublin city and county. Each of these rooms can accommodate up to 40 pupils.
Applications for the erection of 25 similar classrooms at schools in the city and county have been received in my Department. These applications have been approved, and the arrangements for the erection of the classrooms are in train.
I wonder when will these prefabricated schools give way to permanent structures. How long are they to remain in existence? Take Pope Pius schools in Templeogue where prefabricated accommodation caters for 700 children, where the toilets are at some distance, scattered here, there and everywhere.
Mr. O'Malley
These are separate questions. If the Deputy puts down a question, I will endeavour to answer him.
16.
asked the Minister for Education whether the scheme of providing prefabricated classrooms to relieve overcrowding in national schools will be extended to relieve overcrowding in secondary schools.
Mr. O'Malley
The provision of additional classrooms in a secondary school is a matter in the first instance for the school authorities. Where a secondary school qualifies for a building grant from the Department in respect of an extension to the school, it can in certain circumstances include prefabricated classrooms as part of that extension for grant purposes. The intention must be, however, to continue to use these rooms as part of the extension rather than to provide them on a stop-gap basis until a more permanent extension has been built.