Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2010
739 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the number of prefabs in use in secondary schools in County Clare; the annual cost per unit of rental per school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12517/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall policy goal of my Department is to ensure the highest standard of permanent accommodation for all schools. However, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population and competing pressure on the capital budget available to my Department, it is necessary to make use of temporary accommodation in order to meet the accommodation needs of schools. During 2009, 222 schools have been approved funding for the purchase of prefabricated classrooms, with the option of building a permanent rooms. 68 of the approved schools have indicated to my Department that they intend purchasing prefabs and 94 intend to use the grant-aid to build a permanent room. The remaining schools have not yet indicated their preference. Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to provide the detailed information sought by the Deputy.
