Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
329. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the way in which she plans to provide for the 40 children in a school (details supplied) in addition to the 15 who are waiting for classes; the way in which they are currently being provided for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42985/20]
View answer330. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the age of the prefabs at a school (details supplied); the lifespan of the prefabs; if her attention has been drawn to maintenance problems and the fact that some of the prefabs are not watertight; if she will arrange for an inspection of the school buildings and a subsequent report on the adequacy of these buildings for children being cared for and educated there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42986/20]
View answer331. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the amount her Department has spent on prefabs at a school (details supplied); the number that were purchased; when they were purchased; the number that are rented; the date from which they have been rented; the site availability there is for expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42987/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 329, 330 and 331 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that in May 2020, my Department gave initial approval to the school in question to acquire 3 temporary classrooms. This project has been devolved to the school for delivery and my Department understands that a decision on the planning permission application is due shortly. When secured and when the accommodation is tendered, the school will then submit a tender report, with recommendation, to my Department for approval. It is expected that this accommodation, when installed, will assist in addressing the school’s capacity needs.
With regard to the provision of permanent accommodation for the school, my Department is presently at a very advanced stage in the process of acquiring a suitable site for the construction of a permanent building for this school. The site acquisition process is complex and subject to completion of successful negotiation and conveyancing processes. When acquired, the architectural planning process for the new school can be initiated.
Under the July Stimulus Programme, my Department secured a €375m support package to enable the safe return for schools. This included additional funding of €75m which was allocated to cover an enhanced Minor Works Grant at primary level. The Minor Works grant allows schools to undertake improvement works in full or in part, as the grant allows, without prior application to my Department. A total of €33,954 was paid to the school in question under the Minor Works Grant in 2020. It is open to the school to utilise this funding for maintenance work to the school’s buildings.
With regard to prefab rental, in 2007, my Department approved rental of a temporary classroom at a cost of €14,102 per annum. Approval to rent an additional temporary classroom was granted in 2008 at an annual cost of €15,254. The total grant paid to date for these rental arrangements amount to €395,751.
In 2016, my Department approved the purchase of an additional temporary classroom at a cost of €92,007 and in 2017, a further grant of €107,434 was approved for the purchase of an additional classroom.
The site on which the school is located is owned by the school patron.
