Vol. 437 No. 6
52 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which second level schoolgoers are being accommodated in prefabricated or other temporary or unfit buildings as at 20 January 1994; the number of students so affected; her proposals to alleviate such problems in 1994; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
However, prefabricated classrooms have played a vital role over the years in meeting the demand for essential teaching accommodation, often at short notice. There is a perception that they are not a solution to meeting accommodation needs. This is not so. This perception often reflects experience of the older type prefabs rather than the modern equivalent which is spacious, bright, airy and provides a good teaching environment. Having regard to the demographic trends, the provision of prefabricated accommodation is the optimum solution to meeting urgent additional or short term needs.
I accept that some prefabricated and other temporary accommodation is nearing the end of its useful life and it is my intention to replace such accommodation with permanent buildings where it is justified by future long term enrolments.
The Programme for Government states:
We will allocate an increased amount in each of the next five years to implement a planned programme of replacing or refurbishing sub-standard school buildings.
