Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 October 2014
185. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual cost of rented prefab accommodation at primary level in 2013; the estimates for 2014 and 2015, respectively; the steps she is taking to address these costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40660/14]
View answerSome €15.6m was spent on renting prefab accommodation at primary level in 2013. €20.35m has been allocated in 2014 to cover the rental of temporary accommodation at primary and post-primary level, including – but not limited to - prefabricated accommodation. While the overall allocation for the Department's Vote in 2015 has now been decided upon, the breakdown of the specific subhead allocations will not be finalised until the 2015 Revised Estimates Volume is published. As the Deputy is aware my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. To ensure that this is achieved, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. However, even despite the enormous financial challenges which have been faced in recent years, two iterations of the Prefab Replacement Scheme were funded by my predecessor. Under the Prefab Replacement Initiative 2012 and 2013 approval was given to 217 schools (209 primary and 8 post-primary) to replace 614 prefab units with permanent accommodation. In excess of €56m has been allocated to these initiatives.
