As I have explained to the Deputy in previous replies to Dáil Questions, following an analysis of costs by my Department, it is now the policy to purchase rather than rent temporary accommodation where the need is likely to last for more than three years. This applies to new applications for temporary accommodation. This will reduce the incidence of long- term rental of prefabricated classrooms.
With regard to rented temporary accommodation already in place in schools, my Department has commenced a review of this area and has engaged a firm of chartered quantity surveyors to develop new procedures and systems for the provision of temporary accommodation with a view to achieving best value for money. Work on this has commenced, in close co-operation with the planning and building unit of my Department.
The review will involve new contractual terms to incorporate buy-out and relocation options to cater for individual local circumstances. The review will also involve an assessment of all existing rental contracts between schools and suppliers with a view to identifying action to reduce overall rental costs for the Department. The Deputy will appreciate that there is a substantial amount of work involved in this approach. However, I have asked my Department to give this work priority and it is envisaged that it will be completed before the end of this year. As soon as the report is available the issue of the buy-out of existing rented accommodation in place for three years or more will be addressed.
In the meantime, where the Department has given approval to a school to rent temporary accommodation, the school authorities must seek competitive quotes from suppliers. This will allow schools to take advantage of the best value available in the current market.