Vol. 439 No. 5
9 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the number of prefabricated buildings presently in use in primary and second level schools; the number of pupils in each category using these buildings on a daily basis; and the plans, if any, she has to replace them.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department.
I accept that despite very significant investment, of the order of £200 million in the five years 1989-93, the condition of many primary and post-primary schools still needs to be improved.
Much of the sub-standard accommodation is prefabricated and has reached, or is nearing, the end of its useful life. My objective is to replace such accommodation with permanent buildings where future long term requirements justify such a course. 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.
In regard to the primary section, my Department is about to launch a comprehensive national survey of the existing stock of primary school buildings. This survey will provide detailed information on the accommodation in each national school. It will also enable the Department to target funding for projects on a more equitable basis throughout the country.
An initial pilot study of approximately 20 representative schools is now being undertaken by the Department's professional advisers. It is intended that the national survey will be completed as soon as possible.
Following the good start already made in 1993 in honouring the Government commitment to replace or refurbish sub-standard school buildings, I am confident that the increased level of expenditure, provided for in the Programme for Government will eliminate, to a very significant extent, the outstanding cases of sub-standard accommodation in the primary and post primary school sectors.
I compliment the Minister on the increased allocation for school buildings this year. Regrettably, expenditure is at almost the same level as in 1986. There has been a huge — badly needed — loss of expenditure on schools in the interim period. The Minister should save the money she would expend on a survey and use it for school buildings. An excellent survey has been carried out by the INTO, I am sure the Minister has a copy in her Department, which highlights sub-standard primary schools. Is the Minister prepared to draw up a three year programme for the replacement of school prefabs as terrible prefab villages are attached to many of our schools? Will she prepare a list of schools which require replacement of prefabs giving priority to the schools according to the conditions of the prefabs? People will be able to see what schools are on the list and their placing. Such a list would avoid political patronage at election time and there would be no need to tell people that prefab replacements for particular schools will be provided this year or next. People are left dangling on a string waiting for replacement of prefabs. Will the Minister draw up a rolling over three year programme that will provide transparency in respect of the allocation of the replacement of school prefabs?
There is a five year commitment to increase and invest money in the school building programme. The Deputy will recognise that we have made good inroads to that programme during the period of the last two budgets. There are four reasons for using school prefabs in the national school programme, in cases of temporary increased enrolments, newly established Gaelscoileanna or multi-denominational schools, where additional teachers are appointed, or to replace sub-standard prefabs. It would not be possible to eliminate the use of prefabs in national schools. There are short term reasons for their use. There are three reasons for using prefabs in second level schools where demographics challenge the Department's resources in respect of available school buildings. They would be used in cases where additional urgent accommodation is required, where there is a short term increase in enrolment and for the addition and replacement of buildings where current finance does not provide for permanent buildings.
There will always be a need for school prefabs. However, there are good prefabs as well as eyesores. When I visit schools it is mainly the eyesores I am asked to inspect. I am determined that with investment over a number of years we will be able to replace unsuitable accommodation. Next week I hope to launch the Department's building programme guidelines. They will enable us move from the suggestion that there may have been political patronage in a grant to school buildings. There are clear guidelines involved in providing school buildings and I must be satisfied that the boards of management and the school management are aware of the stages of an application, the different levels of contact and steps that must be taken. I will make that information available in booklet form to the primary schools sector.
Regarding the Deputy's suggestion that the recommendations in the INTO survey should be addressed in an effort to replace school prefabs, I have a copy of the survey and I will take its findings on board. I intend to have a fair, open and transparent policy on school buildings. The Department should have its itinerary in respect of the order in which school buildings should be replaced. When I negotiate annual funding with the Department of Finance in respect of the Department it would be useful to have a list of priorities to ensure that where moneys are available they are directed to those most in need. In the light of the INTO survey and the guidelines that will be presented shortly any whiff of political patronage will be removed from my policy in respect of school buildings.
I take it the Minister agrees with my proposal. She talked about transparency and said she is not in favour of political patronage. I take it she will draw up a three year list and make it available to us. If a new prefab is needed or a special case is made for a school, I have no difficulty in having that added to the list, but there must be transparency. I taught in a prefab in my early days and I know what it is like — they are draughty and damp and generally you are removed from the school building and have to cross the yard to use the toilet. Perhaps if the Minister had taken action before now it might not have been agreed to hold a strike next week in Ballinagh, County Cavan, as a result of school conditions. It is proposed to hold a similar strike next week in Woodbrook, County Roscommon, due to school conditions there. I would ask the Minister to draw up a priority list for schools to ensure they are maintained in reasonable condition.
Money was made available in this year's budget to refurbish the school at Ballinagh. Very late in the day it was indicated to the Department that rather than agreeing to a refurbished school, the parents and management of that school were seeking a new school. I was satisfied that the proposals for refurbishment would meet the needs of the school and, considering the budgetary restraints, I was not in a position to make provision for a new school.
I do not have a closed mind on these matters, as I indicated to the INTO representative in Monaghan on a recent visit there, but there is not much money remaining in the 1994 purse. When I announced the 72 projects for 1994, they did not include a new school for Ballinagh. Discussions are still ongoing on this matter. The Deputy also referred to another dispute. It would be useful for the Department to have an itinerary so that we could, in an ordered way, ensure that schools are refurbished, prefabs replaced and sanitation facilities provided — 200 schools will benefit in that regard. This work should be done in an orderly way so that the needs of the community are met.
The time for priority questions is exhausted. We will deal with Deputy Gilmore's Question No. 10 in the category of other questions.
