Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
332. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of children currently being educated in prefabricated buildings per school; the number of prefabricated buildings per school in each county here, and specifically in the Dublin 22 area; and his plans to replace these prefabricated buildings with new school buildings. [46692/13]
View answerMy Department does not hold information on the numbers of pupils in individual schools who currently occupy temporary accommodation; this depends on the organisation of class groups by schools within available accommodation and may vary from year to year. Local school managements are responsible for organising their class numbers, year on year, to achieve the optimum local efficiencies. A list of primary and post primary schools that have rented prefabricated buildings is attached for the Deputy's attention. My Department does not hold information in the sub-county format as requested. Schools that are included on my Department's 5 Year Capital Programme, Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme and Prefabs Replacement Initiatives are highlighted as these will have their temporary accommodation replaced with permanent buildings. Please note that one prefab unit may consist of one or more classrooms and/or ancillary accommodation.In relation to prefabricated buildings a total of €15 million has been allocated in 2013/14 to replace prefabs and provide permanent resource rooms and classrooms for some 2,650 students. Forty-six schools, with 115 prefab units, have been offered grants to provide the new facilities. In 2012 the Department of Education and Skills provided funding to replace of over 458 prefab units. Replacing prefabs offers better accommodation for students and savings for schools and the Exchequer, as well as providing construction jobs. We are building on the Programme for Government commitment to reduce reliance on rented prefabs in schools and extending the benefits to other parts of the country. Replacing prefabs is part of the Government's €475 million education infrastructure plan for 2014. This Plan will provide modern, high quality accommodation for pupils and teachers and construction related jobs for workers around the country.
