School Accommodation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (350)

Mary Wallace

Question:

525 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department’s policy with regard to payment of rental costs of school classroom prefabs at both primary and post primary level, including the percentage of the rent paid by his Department and the identity of those who pay the balance; if there is a distinction between the rental payment percentage breakdown for new schools as distinct from existing schools; if so, the reason for the distinction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22285/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department provides grant-aid towards the provision of temporary school accommodation where it is required at primary schools. Details of the rate of such grant aid is as follows; 95% of rental costs for primary schools with permanent recognition and 75% of rental costs for primary schools with provisional recognition. School authorities pay a local contribution of the balance. Where the local contribution exceeds €3,175 for expenditure incurred in the financial year January to December rental payments are grant-aided by my Department at a rate of 100%.

Rental of temporary accommodation at special needs primary schools is grant-aided at a rate of 100%, as are special needs units within mainstream primary schools. There is no distinction between the rental payment percentage breakdown between new schools and existing schools. In general, grant aid is not provided towards the cost of rented accommodation at secondary schools.

Question No. 526 answered with QuestionNo. 493.