Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
154. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the nature of the inspection carried out on the prefabs purchased for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in December 2010 and the subsequent works carried out on them; and his future plans regarding same. [51213/12]
View answerA technical inspection of the prefabricated accommodation in the school, referred to by the Deputy, was carried out by my Department in October 2010. According to the report provided by the Technical Team, the prefabs were found to be in good condition and well maintained with no major defects or barriers to purchase. A decision was made to purchase the rented accommodation as it provided better value for money for my Department. In the period since the purchase, my Department has been advised by the school of issues with the accommodation requiring remedial works, which my Department has addressed. My Department will continue to liaise with the school with regard to any issues identified and seek appropriate remedial action where necessary. The Deputy will also be aware that the school concerned has an application with my Department for a major school project involving school refurbishment and the replacement of temporary accommodation. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. In view of the financial constraints imposed by the need, as outlined in the Five Year Plan, to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation to meet demographic demand, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a further project for the school in question will be progressed.
