Vol. 475 No. 5
38 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the proportion of second level schools which lack library, canteen and physical education facilities; the proportion of pupils currently accommodated in prefabricated buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5188/97]
There are no statistics on the number of second-level schools which do not have library, canteen or physical education facilities. Physical education facilities in second level schools include indoor PE halls, outdoor hard play areas such as basketball and tennis courts and playing fields. Virtually all schools have at least one element of these facilities. Libraries and PE halls are provided in all new schools as a standard part of the schedule of accommodation. Canteen facilities are provided as an integral part of the provision for the general purpose area. Where schools do not have these facilities, they are provided as resources permit. However, the provision of essential classroom accommodation must continue to be the first priority.
Prefabricated buildings are generally provided to cater for a short-term increase in enrolment which would not warrant permanent accommodation or in a situation where a school is due to be replaced through rationalisation and the provision of permanent accommodation would be wasteful of scarce resources. The Department does not have precise information on the proportion of pupils accommodated in prefabricated buildings. The proportion is in any event one that changes constantly.
